The War on Drugs: Blood and Tears

The greed of a teacher carrying a gun, 20 heroin cakes, and 7kg of drugs across the border

(Baonghean.vn) - Taking advantage of his summer vacation, teacher Xênh participated in a transnational drug trafficking ring. When he was surrounded and arrested, Xênh's accomplices shot and injured two border guards.

Blood still spills…

On June 28, the border anti-drug force arrested Vu Ba Xenh (born in 1979), residing in Tay Son commune, Ky Son, a teacher at Tay Son Secondary School, while transporting 20 heroin cakes, 7kg of crystal meth and 12,000 synthetic drug pills.

To rescue Xênh, his accomplices fired many shots at the arresting force, injuring Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Tai (drug detective, Nghe An Border Guard Command) and Major Nguyen Manh Hung (drug detective of the Drug and Crime Prevention Department, Border Guard Command).

Subject Vu Ba Xenh with the evidence when arrested. Photo: Nhu Binh

Among them, Senior Lieutenant Tai was shot twice in the abdomen, Major Hung was injured in the shoulder area. Due to the severity of his injuries, Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Tai was transferred to the 108 Central Military Hospital. Although he underwent an important surgery, the ability to recover his health and mobility is still not really promising.

This is not the first time that the anti-drug force has had to shed blood against this type of reckless and daring crime. Previously, on December 10, 2017, while being surrounded and arrested, wanted drug trafficker Kha Thanh Tai (born in 1976, residing in Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong) fired a gun, injuring Lieutenant Nguyen Van Lam (Tuong Duong District Police) in the leg. After 10 days of hiding in the deep forest, Kha Thanh Tai was arrested by the anti-drug force of Tuong Duong District Police.

The wound was not too serious, so after more than a month of treatment, Lieutenant Lam returned to work. This young scout still sells the area day and night, follows the subjects, faces many dangers to dismantle each illegal drug trafficking line from the border to Xiangyang to the South. Like Lam, other soldiers still commit to each drug case, even though danger is always lurking around them.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Phuc Tu - Head of Tuong Duong District Police, considered a hot spot for drug crimes in Nghe An, shared: "Drug crimes are becoming more and more reckless and daring. The subjects do not care about tricks to buy and sell, make a profit, they form transnational drug trafficking lines, equipped with guns, grenades... ready to fight back against the authorities when surrounded and arrested."

The subjects were equipped with guns and grenades and were ready to fight back against the authorities. Photo: Nhu Binh

Lieutenant Colonel Tu said thoughtfully: "Before each case, we had a very thorough meeting, came up with many different plans with the highest determination to completely dismantle the drug ring and gang, but most importantly, we still had to ensure the safety of the soldiers participating in the case. Even so, every time we went to fight a case, we were very worried because most of the cases had to face danger, and soldiers' blood could be spilled at any time."

…and tears

The war against drugs is not simply a battle with the enemy in front of us, but it is also a fierce struggle for the mettle of each soldier, especially for the undercover scouts - those who must find ways to infiltrate the enemy's lair to find the "vital points" to exploit.

There, they have to fight both the enemy and themselves. And victory is only for those with a strong will, who do not let themselves be seduced or dazzled by the temptation of money and material things.

Leaders of the Border Guard Command visited Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Tai who is being treated at the 108 Central Military Hospital. Photo: Nhu Binh

PV once attended and reported on a drug trial in which the defendant was LBR (born in 1977, from Ky Son) - a good detective of a drug crime prevention unit. As an undercover detective, LBR also contributed greatly to many drug cases in the area. At one point, within 1 year, LBR was awarded 3 Certificates of Merit from the Central level for his achievements in his work.

But then, the relationships for work, the huge profits from that deadly white stuff pushed this soldier out of the cycle that his teammates were doing. When he could no longer hold himself back, LBR asked to leave the army. As an inevitable ending, this man became the "target" of his former teammates.

On the day of the trial, his comrades came to visit. They just stood from afar, their eyes filled with regret and sympathy, not resentment, because every soldier on this frontline understood the challenges they would face.

For the crime of “Illegal drug trafficking”, the defendant was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The wife burst into tears in the courtroom. LBR also cried. His former comrade turned away, trying to hide his red eyes. Tears flowed back inside, bitter, salty…

They still have to continue fighting drug crimes, facing danger. And after each project, there is not only success with congratulatory bouquets but also blood and tears!

With his brave actions in suppressing and arresting drug criminals, the Border Guard Command decided to promote the rank of scout Nguyen Dinh Tai from Lieutenant to Captain; and raise the salary ahead of schedule for Major Tran Manh Hung.

Nhu Binh