Taxi driver extorts property and goes to jail for drugs

On December 27, the People's Court of Nghe An province opened a criminal appeal trial of defendant Nguyen Hoang Nam (born in 1983), residing in Nghia Loc commune, Nghia Dan district, for the crime of "Illegal possession of narcotics". The trial was opened due toappeal for reduction of sentenceof defendant Nam.

The case file shows that Nguyen Hoang Nam is a drug addict. On April 28, 2021, Nam bought 2 million VND worth of drugs and was given 6 pink pills by the seller. Nam divided the drugs into many small packages, hid them on his person, and hid 1 package under the floor mat of the taxi.

Defendant Nguyen Hoang Nam. Photo: Tran Vu

Then, Nam asked his friend Bui Trong Vinh to drive a taxi to deliver goods, while he rented a room to use drugs.

While driving for his friend, Vinh discovered some ecstasy pills in Nam's taxi so he took them and put them in his pocket to use.

As for Nam, after receiving the car back, he headed towards Nghia Long commune, Nghia Dan district and was checked by the police, who discovered several packages of drugs with a total weight of 2.31 grams.

During an emergency search of Nam's previously rented accommodation, the police discovered a number of drug pills weighing 0.5 grams. Immediately afterwards, the police arrested Bui Trong Vinh.

Nghia Dan District People's Court sentenced Nguyen Hoang Nam to 36 months in prison and Bui Trong Vinh to 15 months in prison for "Illegal possession of narcotics". Nam later appealed for a reduction in sentence.

At the appeal hearing, defendant Nam presented the reason for requesting a reduced sentence because he “wanted to return home soon to take care of his two children”. According to Nam’s presentation, his wife’s whereabouts are currently unknown.

The appellate court determined that the defendant's actions were dangerous to society. At this trial, the defendant did not present any new details, so there was no basis for considering a reduction in the sentence. The defendant has a bad personal history, having been sentenced to prison twice for "Extortion of property".

Considering the case comprehensively, the panel of judges rejected the defendant's appeal and upheld the 36-month prison sentence for Nguyen Hoang Nam for the crime of "Illegal possession of narcotics".