The "crocodile tears" of the woman who traffics in "white goods" (drugs).

A clever trick to hide drugs in a bra.

Upon being escorted to the Nghe An Provincial People's Court for trial on charges of "illegally trading narcotics," defendant Tran Thi Hai (50 years old), residing in Tam Quang commune, Tuong Duong district, burst into tears. Hai turned her head to look at her relatives standing in the court hallway who were unable to enter the courtroom because...Covid-19 pandemicSince her ex-husband and children didn't show up for court, Hai tried to strike up conversations with relatives to inquire about their situation.

This is the second time Hai has stood before the witness stand. In 2002, Hai was sentenced to 14 years in prison for two crimes: "Illegal trafficking of narcotics" and "Organizing the illegal use of narcotics." However, her years in prison did not reform her character. Instead, she turned to drugs again and became a trafficker of this deadly substance that spreads death to many.

Defendant Tran Thi Hai. Photo: Tran Vu

On April 10, 2021, in the Vinh market area (Vinh City), Hai met a man named Truong (whose background and specific address are unknown). This man asked Hai to buy 14 grams of heroin, and Hai agreed, promising to notify him when he had it. Two days later, Hai took a bus to Quy Hop district town to find and buy the drugs to sell to his customers. Through a motorbike taxi driver, Hai easily purchased 14 grams of heroin for 52 million VND.

Afterward, Hai returned to Vinh and carefully hid the drugs in his rented room. Being a cunning individual, Hai planned meticulously, concealing the drugs in his jacket pocket before putting it in the washing machine. In the evening, Hai received a phone call from a man named Truong, informing him that he needed 5 grams of drugs for 17 million dong.

Hai was carrying five packets of drugs and took a small amount, placing it in a soft paper packet and hiding it in her bra, intending to let a customer try it. She then drove her motorbike to the Nguyen Canh Chan street area in Hong Son ward, Vinh City. While waiting for a customer to deliver the drugs, Hai saw a police task force on duty and quickly dropped the drugs to the ground to dispose of them. The task force asked Hai to pick up the five packets of drugs. Hai then voluntarily took one packet from her bra and handed it over to the police.

During a search of Hai's residence, police discovered nine more packages of drugs hidden in a jacket pocket inside a washing machine. Hai admitted that the drugs belonged to her and that she was storing them while waiting for an opportunity to sell them. Therefore, the investigating agency determined that the total amount of drugs for which Tran Thi Hai is criminally liable is 52.265 grams.

"Crocodile tears"

At the trial, the defendant admitted to the crimes as charged in the indictment but repeatedly blamed her difficult circumstances and illness. Hai, weeping, stated before the court: “After being released from prison, I tried to make a living. I used to work as a domestic helper, but that job wasn't stable. Then, I studied beauty treatments, but the pandemic affected that as well, leaving me unemployed.”

Defendant Hai repeatedly wept, blaming his difficult circumstances and illness. Photo: Tran Vu

Following the defendant's testimony, a juror questioned: "You said you didn't have a stable job but participated in gambling, and were recently fined by the police. How do you explain this?" In response to this question, Hai broke down in tears and then fell silent.

When questioned about his motive for committing the crime of drug trafficking, Hai stated: “I committed the crime due to the pressure of illness. I have back pain and a herniated disc, so I needed money to buy medicine. I currently live alone, so I am facing great difficulties.” The court then reminded him: “Not all difficulties and illnesses lead to violations of the law. Many people are in more difficult circumstances than you, but they still work honestly and earn money...”

Facing legal consequences for the second time, when asked about her thoughts, Hai said: “I feel remorse and guilt towards my children. Currently, my two children are working far away and cannot attend the court, and my ex-husband has a new family after divorcing me…”

Then Hai mused: "Sometimes I feel discouraged. Many people my age have children and grandchildren, stable homes, but I don't. I'm still renting and committing crimes like this... I regret it a lot, but now it's probably too late."

After considering the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the court sentenced defendant Tran Thi Hai to 16 years in prison for the crime of illegally trading narcotics.

After the verdict was announced, Hai appeared quite calm, no longer crying or panicking as he had been during the trial. Before being led away, the defendant calmly turned back to talk to his relatives. The tears he had shed earlier were gone...