12 death sentences, life imprisonment for 'huge' drug trafficking ring

After more than 10 days of trial, on the afternoon of December 30, the People's Court of Quang Ninh province sentenced 25 defendants in a 'huge' drug ring.

Sentenced to death 6 out of 25 defendants in a huge drug ring

The court sentenced 6 to death and 6 to life in prison for defendants who played important roles in this drug ring.

Accordingly, the ringleader Hoang Van Tien and 5 other defendants, Nguyen Toan Thang (born in 1975); Nguyen Thi Tuyet Hanh (born in 1976); Hoang Van Bac (born in 1964, all registered permanent residence in Bac Giang city, Bac Giang province); Tran Duc Viet (born in 1990, residing in Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La) and Bui Dang Duc (born in 1966, residing in Hang Bac ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi) were sentenced to death.

Six other defendants, Tran Thu Hang (wife of Hoang Van Tien), Luong Thi Thao, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Nguyen Manh Toan, and Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, were sentenced to life in prison; seven defendants were sentenced to 14 to 20 years in prison, three defendants were sentenced to 6 to 7 years in prison, and the remaining three defendants were sentenced to 24 to 28 months and 16 days in prison.

According to the indictment, defendant Hoang Van Tien was arrested in Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province. From February 2011 to early March 2012, Tien bought heroin and opium from Song A Lau and other subjects in Moc Chau, Son La, and together with his accomplices Nguyen Manh Toan, Luu Thai Anh, Nguyen Van Thuan, Do Thanh Nam... transported them to Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Lang Son to sell to a number of defendants in the same case and a number of subjects.

Defendant Hoang Van Tien bought and sold a total of 5,346 heroin cakes, 35,200 synthetic drug pills, and 1,100 grams of crystal meth.

In addition, defendant Tien also illegally kept a K59 gun with 7 military bullets.

During the investigation, the Investigation Police Agency - Quang Ninh Provincial Police seized 22 heroin cakes; 32.76 grams of Ketamine, 60 synthetic drug pills, 1.03 grams of Methamphetamine; 121.63 grams of dried cannabis leaves.

Drug trafficking case with up to 114 defendants (of which 30 defendants were sentenced to death in phase 1).

According to Justice