The downward spiral of the former police lieutenant

Leaving the profession, becoming a drug dealer…

Nguyen Dinh Nguyen was once the pride of his family when he was admitted to the People's Police Academy. After graduating, Nguyen was assigned to various units. During his career, Nguyen received many commendations and certificates of merit from the police force, including the title of "Glorious Soldier." Nguyen also served as Deputy Police Chief of a commune in a mountainous district of Nghe An province. However, in early 2021, Police Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Nguyen submitted his resignation from the force.

Tears of remorse from former police officer Nguyen Dinh Nguyen. Photo: Tran Vu

After that, Nguyen earned a living as a freelancer. In early December 2021, Nguyen met Ho Quang Dong at a late-night eatery in Vinh City. During their meeting, Nguyen introduced himself to Dong as a former police officer who knew drug dealers, and offered to get the drugs for him if Dong bought them. At this time, Dong had just finished serving a 10-year prison sentence for illegal drug trafficking, but he still agreed to buy the drugs.

On December 14, 2021, Dong contacted Nguyen to buy drugs. Nguyen quoted a price of 600 million VND for 2 kg, requiring a half-payment upfront. The next day, Dong transferred 300 million VND to Nguyen. To obtain the drugs for his customers, Nguyen ordered 2 kg from a man named Nenh (whose identity and address are unknown) for 540 million VND. Nguyen then placed the 540 million VND in a styrofoam box containing dried fish and sent it to Nenh via passenger bus. After receiving the money, Nenh sent the drugs to Nguyen via passenger bus.

At approximately 11:00 AM on December 17, 2021, Nguyen went to the intersection near the landfill (in Nghi Yen commune, Nghi Loc district) to catch a bus to receive a bag of taro containing over 1.8 kg of drugs, but was discovered and caught red-handed by the police. Based on Nguyen's confession, the Police Investigation Agency conducted an urgent search of Dong's residence, seizing one drug pill. With irrefutable evidence, Dong admitted to buying the drugs from Nguyen.

Late repentance

On August 16th, the Nghe An Provincial People's Court held a first-instance criminal trial to hear the case against two defendants, Nguyen Dinh Nguyen (born in 1990), residing in Khanh Hop commune, Nghi Loc district, and Ho Quang Dong (born in 1977), residing in Dong Son commune, Do Luong district, for the crime of "Illegal trafficking of narcotics." In addition, Dong was also prosecuted for the crime of ""Illegal possession of narcotics".

From early morning, courtroom number 1 of the Nghe An Provincial People's Court was crowded with people attending the trial. Some carried bags, others brought their young children to the court to see the defendants. At the trial, both defendants honestly confessed and admitted their crimes.

Defendant Nguyen Dinh Nguyen bowed his head and apologized to his relatives. Photo: Tran Vu

Defendant Nguyen stated that he had worked in the police force for a long time but left due to violations related to forging documents. This was a huge shock that deeply saddened his wife, children, and relatives. That's why he broke down in tears when his wife and children were mentioned. The defendant explained to the court: "After I left the force, because I didn't have a stable job, my family's finances became difficult. Due to economic pressure, my wife quit her job as a nurse at the district hospital to go to the South to make a living. I feel guilty towards my wife and children."

Regarding the motive for the crime, Nguyen confessed that he trafficked drugs due to life pressures and greed. He admitted that his mistakes had caused suffering to his wife, children, parents, and relatives. "I feel very ashamed and guilty towards my former unit and everyone. I was completely wrong to violate the law despite knowing it," Nguyen said, choking back tears as he presented his case to the court.

At the trial, the defendant bowed his head in apology to the court, then turned to apologize to his relatives. “I apologize to my parents, because of me, the family has suffered hardship and humiliation. I also apologize to everyone in my extended family…,” Nguyen said, bowing his head before his relatives. Hearing the defendant’s tearful words, his relatives sitting below also sobbed.

Since his arrest for drug offenses, what has caused Nguyen so much distress is not being able to see his wife and children. It is known that his young wife, overwhelmed with grief over her husband's situation, took their young child to the South. She did not attend the trial. The defense lawyer for the defendant shared that throughout their interactions during Nguyen's detention, he consistently expressed remorse and regret for his wrongdoings. Nguyen felt remorse for his lack of self-discipline, which led to repeated setbacks, and was tormented by his mistakes that caused his family to fall apart and his wife and children to suffer.

In the same case, defendant Ho Quang Dong also sincerely admitted his criminal act. Dong stated that in April 2020, after serving a 10-year prison sentence for illegally trafficking narcotics, he returned to his hometown to make a living marketing spice products. However, due to difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, business losses, and life pressures, he resorted to drug trafficking. For his second drug-related offense, Dong requested the court to consider a reduced sentence so he could return home to care for his four children, the youngest of whom is just over one year old.

Holding her grandchild in her arms, the mother of defendant Dong could not hide her grief as her son reoffended in the illegal drug trade. According to relatives, Dong was arrested when his third child was only 6 months old during his previous imprisonment. This time, his youngest child was only 8 months old when he was arrested. With her husband in prison, the wife had to raise four children alone in a rented house in Do Luong town. The difficult family circumstances, living in rented accommodation, and having many children were also reasons Dong cited in court to request a reduced sentence.

The two defendants at the trial. Photo: Tran Vu

Appropriate sentence

At the trial, the panel of judges determined that the defendants' criminal acts were particularly dangerous to society. Defendant Dong had previously served time in prison for drug offenses, and Nguyen, a former police officer, was well aware of the law but still violated it, therefore they needed to be severely punished.

However, several mitigating circumstances should also be considered for the defendants. In this case, defendant Ho Quang Dong had an aggravating circumstance of recidivism, so the court sentenced him to life imprisonment for the crime of illegal drug trafficking and 18 months imprisonment for possession; the total sentence is life imprisonment. Former police officer Nguyen Dinh Nguyen had many mitigating circumstances, including numerous commendations and certificates of merit during his career, so the court sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment.

A just sentence, punishing the guilty as it is, will also serve as a lesson for those who still harbor unjustified ambitions, especially those who violate the law and ultimately face bitter consequences.

Tran Vu - Dang Nguyen