Former police major and 4 defendants in 'huge' drug trafficking ring sentenced to death

On July 17, after many days of trial of 15 defendants for "Illegal drug trafficking" and "Illegal drug possession", Nghe An Provincial People's Court announced the verdict.

This huge drug ring was led by Cao Xuan Thuy (born in 1990), residing in Que Phong district (Nghe An). Vo Van Quy (born in 1978) - a former police major of a department-level unit of Ho Chi Minh City Police - participated in this ring. Vo Van Quy was accused of participating in the illegal trading of 21.9 kg of crystal meth.

Defendants in court. Photo: Tran Vu

The remaining 13 defendants in the case include: Pham Nhu Hai (42 years old, from Bac Giang); Huynh Le Khanh (37 years old); Chau Thong Cuong (52 years old), Nguyen Chi Cuong (52 years old), Nguyen Hang Ni (31 years old), all from Ca Mau; Tong Kim Son (48 years old), Thai Vi Dan (46 years old), Dao Duy Thuong (32 years old), Duong The Anh (41 years old), Duong Hong Nhat (34 years old), Nguyen Van Thinh (46 years old), all residing in Nghe An province. The two defendants Va Nhia Ly (28 years old) and Cu Vu (27 years old) are Lao nationals.

According to the investigation results, from 2017 to April 2018, Cao Xuan Thuy, Tong Kim Son, Vo Van Quy and 12 others established a drug trafficking network from abroad to Nghe An and then transferred it to Ho Chi Minh City for consumption. The total amount of drugs that the subjects participated in buying and selling was more than 1.4 kg of heroin and nearly 22 kg of crystal meth.

The panel of judges determined that in this case, former Major Vo Van Quy, although a police officer, participated in drug trafficking 5 times with large quantities. Therefore, the defendant must be sentenced to death to serve as a sufficient deterrent, education and crime prevention.

Defendant Vo Van Quy was sentenced to death. Photo: Tran Vu

In his final words, Quy admitted his crime and asked for a chance to live. He also apologized to his family, friends, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department and his colleagues.

Defendant Quy also said: "Those who are thinking of drug trafficking should stop."

Considering the case comprehensively, the court sentenced 5 defendants including: Vo Van Quy, Cao Xuan Thuy, Tong Kim Son, Duong The Anh, Duong Hong Nhat to death for the crime of "Illegal drug trafficking".

Two Lao defendants, Va Nhia Ly and Cu Vu, received life sentences, combined with the death sentence of another case, forcing the two defendants to receive a combined sentence of death.

The defendants: Dao Duy Thuong, Nguyen Van Thinh, Pham Nhu Hai, Huynh Le Khanh, Nguyen Chi Cuong, Chau Thong Cuong received life sentences. The court also sentenced Nguyen Hang Ni and Thai Vi Dan to 20 years in prison.