Lao students involved in drug use.

(Baonghean.vn) - Souvanthone came to Vietnam from Laos to study on a government scholarship. However, due to his dissolute lifestyle, he eventually found himself standing before the court awaiting punishment under Vietnamese law...

Perhaps Souvanthone was one of the few Lao defendants who didn't need an interpreter during the trial. Standing before the dock, he looked straight ahead and answered each question from the presiding judge clearly.

Souvanthone's father passed away six years ago, and her mother single-handedly raised her four sisters and supported their education. Souvanthone is a bright student, having won top prizes in city-level competitions. Thanks to her excellent academic achievements, Souvanthone received a scholarship from the Lao government to study in Vietnam. She chose to study civil engineering at a university in Nghe An province.

With a government scholarship, Souvanthone doesn't have to worry about tuition fees, gets free dormitory accommodation, and receives 1 million VND per month for living expenses. Occasionally, her mother gives her extra pocket money. Souvanthone's mother is a businesswoman and loves her daughter dearly, so she doesn't hesitate to give her daughter extra "pocket money."

With an amount of "pocket money" equivalent to many people's dream income, Souvanthone didn't have to worry much. Outside of school, he would go drinking, karaoke, or to clubs with his friends. "Whenever I drank too much, I would get a headache and vomit, so I used methamphetamine to cope," Souvanthone honestly admitted.

Souvanthone hung his head in remorse while waiting for the judges to deliberate.

On January 8, 2016, Souvanthone returned to his home country to visit his family. While out, he met a man who offered to sell him methamphetamine. Souvanthone bought 33 pills, "to use when I'm drunk to ease my headache." He carefully concealed the drugs in his jacket and brought them to Vietnam for personal use. On January 18, 2016, Souvanthone was stopped by the Ben Thuy Ward Police for an administrative check and the drugs were discovered. He was arrested for illegally possessing narcotics.

Because the case involved foreign elements, Souvanthone was detained at the Provincial Police Detention Center and tried by the Provincial People's Court. For the act of possessing 33 ecstasy pills weighing 3.145g, based on Clause 1, Article 194 of the Penal Code, the representative of the Nghe An Provincial People's Procuracy proposed a sentence of 6-9 months imprisonment for Souvanthone.

“Drug trafficking is prohibited in Laos, and it is also prohibited in Vietnam. During my six months in detention, the prison officers explained and encouraged me, and I realize I was wrong. I hope the court will give me the lightest possible sentence. I promise to try to be a good person and not reoffend,” Suovanthone said remorsefully.

The judges adjourned for deliberation, and Souvanthone sat in the waiting area. He buried his face in his hands, then looked up at his mother and girlfriend. Souvanthone's mother, along with an aunt and his girlfriend, had traveled from Laos to attend the trial. The long journey had affected his mother's health. She only glanced at her son briefly before leaving. The lengthy deliberation period made Souvanthone seem impatient.

The panel of judges entered, and the presiding judge read out the verdict. Souvanthone's illegal possession was a violation of the law. However, according to the forensic examination results from the Criminal Technical Department of the Nghe An Provincial Police, Souvanthone was only liable for 0.4g of pure narcotics. According to regulations, with this weight of pure narcotics, the defendant is not yet criminally liable. The panel of judges decided to drop the criminal charges and release Souvanthone immediately at the court. The panel of judges also decided to return the case file to the Vinh City Police for administrative penalties against Souvanthone.

Upon hearing the court's verdict, Souvanthone was overjoyed, astonished as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard...

Nhu Binh