What motivated the former teacher to risk her life for drugs?

As the eldest of seven siblings, whose parents were farmers and lived in difficult circumstances,Lau Ba Xia(Born in 1974), residing in Nam Can commune, Ky Son district, was given opportunities for education by his parents.

After graduating from high school, Xia continued her education and became a teacher. In 2000, the fact that a member of an ethnic minority group like Xia became a teacher was not only a source of pride for her family but also a shared joy for the entire village.

After graduating, Xia took on the responsibility of teaching the children of her own ethnic minority group. At a secondary school in Ky Son district, Xia taught two subjects: Literature and History.

During his teaching career, Xia received many Certificates of Merit from the Education Department. Xia's joy was even greater when his son followed in his father's footsteps and became a teacher. He was loved and respected by his colleagues and students, but then Xia became involved in a shady business deal.drugThe news that teacher Lau Ba Xia was arrested for trafficking over 4.5 kg of drugs came as a shock to his colleagues and students.

All regrets and remorse for Xia are now too late. Photo: Tran Vu

On May 19, 2020, Xia received a phone call from a man named Nguyen Van Hoang (residing in Da Nang City) ordering 4 kg of methamphetamine, 200 bags of ecstasy pills, and 2 blocks of heroin.

Because he knew this person, Xia agreed, promising to have the drugs in a few days. Xia then called someone across the border, Lau Giong Xa, to order the drugs. Xa reported that he only had 2 kg of methamphetamine, 97 bags of ecstasy, and 2 blocks of heroin, selling for 840 million dong. Xia agreed but asked for a deferral, which was granted. Xia then informed Hoang, raising the price to 930 million dong. Hoang agreed and arranged to receive the "goods" at a guesthouse in Chieu Luu commune, Ky Son district.

On May 22nd, Xia went to school as usual. That afternoon, after school, Xia rode his motorbike to meet Xa to receive the drugs. Afterward, Xia put all the drugs in a sack and took them to a guesthouse in Chieu Luu commune that Hoang had arranged. That evening, while Lau Ba Xia was waiting at the guesthouse for the buyer to pick up the drugs, the police raided the place and arrested him along with over 4.5 kg of various types of drugs.

On the day of the preliminary trial of defendant Lau Ba Xia, a group of relatives traveled a long distance to attend the court. Among them were the defendant's wife and children. His wife, who spent her days tending the fields, caring for the children, and managing the household so her husband could focus on teaching, couldn't stop crying when she saw him in this difficult situation. Seeing his wife, children, and relatives sitting sadly below, Xia's face showed concern and sadness, and he gave his wife some instructions.

Lau Ba Xia was once a seasoned teacher, but now he stands before the witness stand. His hands, once used to hold chalk, tremble in the cold handcuffs. The defendant admitted to trafficking drugs out of greed. “I can’t explain my actions now. I participated in drug trafficking because of greed. If the 90 million dong difference in this case had been successful, I would have benefited half, and the other half would have gone to Xa,” Xia stated.

But there were also times when Xia claimed he was innocent. “If the defendant was involved in drug trafficking, then the prosecution must prove who the buyer was. That day, when the police raided the room, only the defendant was there; no one else was buying drugs,” Xia argued. However, the prosecution, participating in the trial, affirmed that the indictment of the defendant for illegal drug trafficking was correct, based on the right person, the right crime, and in accordance with the law. After some evasiveness, Xia again pleaded guilty and insisted, “I am not innocent.”

When questioned by a juror about his thoughts on being a teacher for 20 years yet involved in drug trafficking, Xìa replied, "I have violated ethical principles." Facing the death penalty, he pleaded for his life to be spared so he could rebuild his life and atone for his mistakes. However, given the exceptionally large quantity of drugs involved, the court sentenced Lầu Bá Xìa to death.

Once a shining example of dedication and enthusiasm in guiding generations of students, Xia was blinded by greed. If Xia had flatly refused the offers of drug dealers, perhaps he would still be a respected teacher at the secondary school in the mountainous district of Ky Son. Or if Xia had learned from the example of former teacher Tho Pa Sau (a teacher at a school in Tri Le commune) who also received the death penalty for drug-related offenses, things might have been different. But it was too late; his hands were already stained, and Xia paid the price with his life.