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| The articles allegedly seized from the Filipino. |
By Vir B. Lumicao
A Filipino resident of Hong Kong arrested at the
Chek Lap Kok airport in January last year for allegedly bringing in 4.2 kilos
of ketamine from abroad worth $2 million has been refused bail by the High
Court.
Richard Marc A. Benoza, 28, who used to work as a bartender,
asked Judge Poon Siu-tung of the Court of First Instance to be allowed to post bail
so he could to return to his family and take care of his grandmother.
“My family needs me. I am the only grandson who takes care
of my grandmother,” Benoza said as he wiped his tears. He is charged with
one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug.
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Customs & Excise officers arrested Benoza upon arrival
from Bangkok
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The prosecutor said her team received on Tuesday a DNA
comparison report that showed nearly half of Benoza’s clothing in his luggage
bore traces of the drug. This indicated he had knowledge of the drug in
his suitcase, she said.
Ketamine is a popular party drug in Hong Kong.
Benoza is due to appear in court on Feb 3 where he is expected to be asked to enter his plea, the prosecutor said.
There is a greater possibility he will abscond if granted bail, she said.
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The prosecutor cited two occasions in 2004 when the
applicant was involved in two sex-related cases. He failed to report to police
from Jun 18 to Jul 7, 2004 and again on Sept 2-15 that year, she said.
Benoza said he was young and jobless then and did not know
much about what was against the law. “This time I am older. I’ll try to avoid
putting myself in a similar situation,” he told the judge.
But Judge Poon said the charge Benoza is facing is a very
serious one that carries a very long sentence. He also said evidence against
the applicant is very strong and he has a record of non-compliance with bail
conditions.
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