Trafficking nearly 600g of opium, 4 defendants received a total of 78 years in prison

On August 11, the People's Court of Nghe An province opened the first instance trial of 4 defendants for the crime of illegal drug trafficking. The defendants include: Dang Thi Cuong (born 1982), residing in Thai Hoa ward; Lo Van Thon (born 1985) and Vi Dinh Phan (born 1998), both residing in Muong Quang commune; and Ly Ba Po (born 1984), residing in Tri Le commune, Nghe An.

According to the case file, on the afternoon of August 27, 2024, Dang Thi Cuong called Thon to order 30 packages.methamphetamineto sell for profit, both agreed on a price of 65 million VND. That same afternoon, Cuong took a bus to Kim Son town (old) to get the "goods".

There was a customer who ordered drugs, Thon contacted Ly Ba Po to ask to buy the “goods”. Then, Po called a man named Va (address unknown), saying that someone asked to buy heroin. And said that 30 packages of heroin cost 40 million VND, and promised to give Po 3 million VND.

After Cuong paid for the drugs, Thon went to Chanh leo slope in Tri Le commune to receive the drugs. Thon brought the drugs home, put them in a bamboo shoot bag, and gave them to Cuong.

At the same time, Thon called Vi Dinh Phan to hire him to transport Cuong to bring drugs to Thai Hoa town for a salary of 6 million VND.

When he got home, Cuong immediately hid the drugs in the bathroom and took 9 pink pills and hid them in the kitchen.

At 0:30 a.m. on August 28, 2024, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department of Nghe An Province Police coordinated with the authorities to enter Cuong's house for inspection. At this time, Cuong hurriedly ran into the bathroom, took the drugs he had hidden before and threw them behind the house, but was discovered by the authorities.

The investigation agency determined that Dang Thi Cuong, Lo Van Thon, Ly Ba Po and Vi Dinh Phan must bear criminal responsibility for illegally buying and selling nearly 600 grams of drugs.

At the trial, all defendants admitted to their crimes. Defendant Dang Thi Cuong justified her drug dealing by stating that she was a single mother, had HIV, and was in poor health. The remaining defendants admitted that they participated in the drug trade because they were greedy for profit. All defendants asked the court to consider reducing their sentences so they could have a chance to start their lives over.

After considering the role of each defendant in the case, the panel sentenced Dang Thi Cuong, Lo Van Thon, and Ly Ba Po to 20 years in prison. Sentenced Vi Dinh Phan to 18 years in prison for illegal drug trafficking.