Drug Offences

Overview

Drug Offences appears in 1035 reported Hong Kong judgments (1900–2026).

Cases about trafficking, possession or manufacture of dangerous drugs.

Drug offences in Hong Kong concern the trafficking, possession, supply and manufacture of dangerous drugs, and they are governed principally by the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Trafficking is treated as among the gravest offences in this field and attracts the most severe penalties, while simple possession is dealt with more leniently; the law also reaches the manufacture of dangerous drugs and related conduct such as permitting premises to be used for drug dealing. A recurring feature of the case law is the settled sentencing methodology, under which the type and quantity of the drug drive a starting point that is then adjusted for the circumstances of the offender and the offence.

Contested trials and the more serious matters are heard in the Court of First Instance, with a substantial volume of cases tried in the District Court. Sentence and conviction appeals proceed to the Court of Appeal, and questions of general importance may be resolved by the Court of Final Appeal. Because sentencing turns so heavily on tariff, the appellate courts play a defining role in setting and revising the guideline bands.

The Court of Appeal has issued influential guidance in [2024] HKCA 150 and [2025] HKCA 234, both widely followed, and has revisited tariff questions in [2026] HKCA 885. The Court of Final Appeal has addressed points of principle affecting this area in [2024] HKCFA 14.