Buy drugs to try, treat friends

On April 27, the People's Court of Nghe An province opened a first-instance criminal trial of two defendants, Le Van Hieu (34 years old), residing in Phong Coc ward, Quang Yen town (Quang Ninh) and Tran Cao Diep (34 years old), residing in Quang Diem commune, Huong Son district (Ha Tinh) for the crime of "Illegal possession of drugs".

Because they knew each other before, on August 28, 2020, Hieu took a bus from Quang Ninh to Diep's house to visit. The two discussed buying drugs for use. Hieu said he would pay all the costs of buying "goods" and the cost of food, accommodation, and transportation. On the afternoon of August 28, Diep used a SH motorbike to take Hieu to Luong Minh commune (Tuong Duong) to buy drugs. Hieu gave Diep 23 million VND, of which 20 million VND was used to buy crystal meth (117.55 grams) and 3 million VND to buy pink phien (3.75 grams) from a person of unknown address and origin. When the two subjects returned to Ha Tinh, they were arrested by Nghe An police.

The two defendants Le Van Hieu (blue shirt) and Tran Cao Diep received a total of 30 years in prison. Photo: Tran Vu

At the trial, both defendants claimed that they were not addicted and that they bought the drugs only to... try them out. The two defendants also did not admit to buying the drugs to resell for profit. When asked by the court, "Why notaddiction"How could you buy such a large quantity of drugs?", the two defendants remained silent.The panel of judges determined that the actions of the two defendants violated the law and were dangerous to society. Considering the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the panel sentenced Le Van Hieu and Tran Cao Diep to 15 years in prison each.

Also on April 27, the People's Court of Quy Hop district opened a first-instance criminal trial of defendant Vu Manh Dung (born 1964), residing in Tam Hop commune (Quy Hop) for the crime of "Illegal possession of narcotics". According to the indictment, at about 4:00 p.m. on January 26, 2021, Tam Hop commune police (Quy Hop) conducted an administrative inspection of Vu Manh Dung and discovered that Dung was in possession of a yellow plastic bag containing a white compressed powder suspected to be heroin, weighing 11.280 grams.

Quy Hop District People's Court sentenced defendant Vu Manh Dung to 6 years and 6 months in prison. Photo: Phan Giang

During an emergency search of Vu Manh Dung's house in Tam Hop commune, Quy Hop district police seized 3 small packages containing a white powdery substance suspected to be heroin weighing 0.190g, wrapped in silver foil, on the bed in the bedroom. The results of the examination showed that the above packages of white powder were allheroin, total mass is 11,470g.

At the trial, the defendant stated that he had severe heart failure and bought drugs to use to relieve the pain. The defendant explained his illness and poor health to ask the court to reduce his sentence. Considering the circumstances, the panel sentenced Vu Manh Dung to 6 years and 6 months in prison for “Illegal possession of narcotics”.