Construction worker gets into trouble with the law after trading work for drugs

Drug Justice

Courtroom No. 1 of the People's Court of Nghe An Province on an early summer day was crowded with people. Many people were carrying things, their faces showing fatigue and anxiety. When the covered truck rushed straight into the court yard, they rushed to follow but were stopped. When they saw the defendant Vi Van Doan (born in 1972), residing in Chau Thon commune, Que Phong district, being escorted into the courtroom, their sadness grew even greater. With a thin figure and dark skin, Doan turned his head slightly to look down at his relatives after a long time in detention.

Vi Van Doan is an illiterate Thai ethnic. Living in the mountains and with a low level of education, this man mainly does manual labor to earn a living and support his family. In addition to farming, Doan also works with construction workers on construction sites.

In addition to domestic projects, Doan also went to Laos to work as a construction worker. Although the distance was far and travel was more difficult, thinking about his family and two children gave this man more motivation to work.

In June 2024, Doan completed building a house for a man named Phung in Muong Quan district, Hua Phan province (Lao PDR). During the debt payment process, Phung still owed 5 million VND in wages, so he asked Doan: "Now I have 1 tael of crystal meth, worth 5 million VND, take it and sell it as payment for my remaining wages." When asked to pay with drugs, Doan agreed.

After reaching an agreement, Phung drove Doan through the forest to return to Vietnam. When they arrived at the Tri Le stadium in Que Phong district (Nghe An), Phung told Doan to wait for a while and then went into the forest. A moment later, this person returned and gave Doan a package of drugs.

Doan brought the drugs home to hide. On January 1, 2025, a man came to Doan's house to buy drugs. Vi Van Doan said that there was 1 package of drugs, selling for 5 million VND. The customer agreed to buy, making an appointment to pick up the "goods" the next day.

Early the next morning, while Doan was delivering drugs to a customer, he was arrested by Que Phong district police with more than 91 grams of drugs. For the above crime, Doan was prosecuted and brought to trial for the crime of Illegal drug trafficking.

Tears of regret

During the process of answering the questions of the jury, the defendant did not deny the crime but gave a clear and concise statement. The group stated that he had worked as a construction worker for many years. The job helped the defendant earn money to take care of his family and support his wife and children.

During that time working in Laos, the defendant earned 35 million VND in wages, the owner paid 30 million VND, the remaining amount was 5 million VND. That person said he did not have money at the moment so he suggested paying with drugs. Because he wanted to get all his wages, when he heard the Laotian say that, the defendant agreed. The defendant stated that he would bring the drugs home to use gradually and sell them to anyone who wanted to buy them.

Doan gave the excuse that he was illiterate and an ethnic minority to justify his wrongdoing. However, the defendant admitted that he knew that his drug-related actions were against the law. The defendant expressed remorse because his greed had cost him dearly.

Having the last word before the court deliberated, the defendant burst into tears. In a choked voice, the defendant stated that he was fully aware of his wrongdoings. He hoped to receive leniency from the law so that he could have a chance to correct his mistakes and start his life over.

“For many years, I have worked hard to take care of my family. However, because of a moment of rashness and lack of thorough thinking, I broke the law. Now, I feel extremely remorseful and ashamed, especially when I think of my children,” the defendant choked up, his calloused hands trembling as he covered his face, and burst into tears in the courtroom.

When she saw her husband in court, the wife hardly said anything. When the court deliberated, she approached him to ask a few questions. In the silent courtroom, tears kept falling down the faces of the woman and the defendant.

Trying to hold back his tears, Doan apologized to his wife and relatives. From a skilled construction worker, Vi Van Doan became a criminal, sentenced by the jury to 17 years in prison for illegal drug trafficking. As for the man named Phung and the customer who bought the drugs, because the defendant did not know their identity or background, the authorities had no basis to prosecute them.

5 million VND in construction wages in exchange for a 17-year prison sentence is a high price that the defendant must pay. Hopefully, the years of rehabilitation will help the defendant realize his mistakes and correct himself, soon having the opportunity to return to his relatives and family.