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| Nearly 3 kg of cocaine was found in this suitcase allegedly belonging to the elderly FilAm |
An elderly Filipino-American man who was arrested at Hong
Kong International Airport in July last year for carrying 2.8 kilograms of
suspected cocaine in his luggage has chosen to stand trial on a charge of drug trafficking.
Rodolfo Purugganan, 77, appeared today, Aug 24, before Magistrate Stephanie Tsui in Eastern Court
Though he was said to be a US citizen, Purugganan spoke to the court with help from an Ilocano interpreter.
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Though he was said to be a US citizen, Purugganan spoke to the court with help from an Ilocano interpreter.
Tsui ordered that the charge be read to the defendant so he
could confirm it, reminding him that if he pleads guilty, the magistrate would
commit him to the Court of First Instance for sentencing.
The defendant confirmed the charge and said he chose to trial,
prompting Tsui to announce the transfer of the case to the High Court.
The magistrate instructed Purugganan to prepare his
documents for the trial and, if he is going to submit an alibi, to do it no
later than 10 days before the trial. She said he can apply for a lawyer from
the Legal Aid Department.
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Purugganan, who has been in custody since his arrest on July
12, 2019, said he had no bail application, so Tsui ordered him remanded in
custody.
The court heard that the defendant was arrested by Customs
officers upon arrival from Addis Ababa ,
Ethiopia
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The defendant reportedly flew to Ethiopia
from Brazil , then on to Hong Kong .
During laboratory processing, the drug yielded 1.54kg of
pure-grade cocaine, which the Customs officers had estimated to have a street
value of $2.3 million. The accused was charged in West Kowloon Court
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| Both cases will be heard at the High Court because of the seriousness of the charges |
Meanwhile, a Filipina who used to work as a domestic helper
and her African co-defendant also appeared before Magistrate Tsui today for another hearing of their drug trafficking case.
The woman, Alma P. Montano, has been charged with attempting
to traffic in dangerous drugs. Her co-defendant, Ifeanyi Nwokeji, has been
charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs. No details of the case were read
out in court.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Nov 2 after the
prosecution asked for more time to prepare before the case is transferred to the High Court.
The two did not apply for bail and Tsui remanded them in custody.
