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| The drug trafficking and theft cases were both heard in Kowloon City Court |
A Filipina resident was charged in Kowloon City
M. L. Bernardo and Chung C.K. hak-hin appeared before
Magistrate Ada Yim and were read one count each of trafficking in a dangerous
drug, and two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia.
Their case was adjourned to Aug 3 for further legal advice.
The defendants were arrested on Jun 21 during a police
anti-drug operation at a hotel in Yaumatei. Bernardo was reportedly stopped when
she got out of the hotel and was found with 11 grams of methamphetamine or
“ice”. She denied ownership of the drug.
The police then went to her hotel room and found Chung
inside, along with two pieces of apparatus used for inhaling the dangerous drug
and packing materials such as resealable plastic bags.
The prosecution said Chung is a local man while Bernardo is
a non-permanent Hong Kong resident who is
married to a permanent resident, but with whom she has lost contract.
Their lawyer applied for bail for both defendants, saying
they can post $3,000 each as bail money.
But Magistrate Yim refused the applications, citing the
prosecution’s concern that the defendants might jump bail.
In the other case, a 42-year-old Filipino resident who is
married and has two children, was charged with theft, after allegedly entering
a kindergarten in Hung Hom and stealing a total of $1,220 in cash.
The prosecution said the defendant, B.B.R. entered the ABC
International Kindergarten in Whampoa
Garden
First, he allegedly took a red packet containing $20, then
re-entered and stole $1,200 cash in the office of the kindergarten.
School officials discovered the break-in and reported to
police, leading to the arrest of the suspect.
The defendant, who lives in Hung Hom, has a prior conviction for theft in 2018.
Magistrate Yim adjourned the case until Aug 3 for further
investigation and legal advice.
She refused to grant bail to the defendant, who offered $200
bail money. The magistrate said the evidence against the accused is strong, and
he has a criminal record. – Vir B.
Lumicao
