Construction worker jailed for taking drugs as payment

On April 24, Nghe An Provincial People's Court opened the first instance trial of defendant Vi Van Doan (born 1972), residing in Chau Thon commune, Que Phong district (Nghe An) for the crime ofIllegal drug trafficking.

According to the case file, around June 2024, Vi Van Doan went to Muong Quan district, Hua Phan province (Lao PDR) to work as a construction worker for a man named Phung (unknown identity and background).

After finishing the work, Phung still owed 5 million VND in wages, so he asked Doan: "Now I have 1 ounce of crystal meth, worth 5 million VND, can you take it and sell it as payment for my remaining wages?" Doan agreed to the Laotian's suggestion.

Phung then drove Doan to the stadium area of ​​Tri Le commune, Que Phong district (Nghe An) and delivered the drugs. Doan took the drugs home to hide for use and to sell for profit.

On January 1, 2025, a man came to Doan's house to buy drugs. Doan quoted 5 million VND for a package of drugs, and the customer agreed to buy it but made 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.

At the trial, the defendant expressed remorse for his crime. He admitted that he had accepted drugs to pay off his construction debt. He burst into tears, explained his difficult circumstances, and asked the court for a chance to start his life over and return to his wife and children soon.

After a comprehensive review of the case, the panel sentenced defendant Vi Van Doan 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.