From Hanoi to lover's hometown in Nghe An to set up a drug ring

On June 23, in Chau Quang commune, the People's Court of Quy Hop district held a mobile trial of the first-instance criminal case against Vu Xuan Kien (born in 1996), residing in Dong Da district (Hanoi) and two accomplices Dau Thi Ha and Phan Duc Phuoc (both residing in Nghe An) for the crimes of "Illegal drug trafficking", "Illegal possession of drugs", and "Concealing illegal use of drugs".

According to the indictment, Vu Xuan Kien is a drug addict with two previous convictions for drug crimes. While serving his sentence in prison, he met and fell in love with Vo Thi Thu Hang, a resident of Minh Hop Commune (Quy Hop). After being released from prison, Kien went to Quy Hop to find Hang and rented a house together as husband and wife.

Defendants Vu Xuan Kien, Dau Thi Ha and Phan Duc Phuoc at the mobile court. Photo: Phan Giang

To have money to spend and use drugs, Kien bought crystal meth and heroin to both use and sell retail for profit.

Phuoc also lived as husband and wife with Ha in Minh Hop commune. This couple often bought drugs from Kien to bring to their rented room for collective use and retail sale.

One day in early January 2020, after buying 1 million worth of drugs from Kien, Phuoc and Ha organized a group of young people to use them right at the motel. While high on drugs, they were arrested by the police.

The mobile court in Chau Quang commune attracted a large number of people to participate. Photo: Phan Giang

At the mobile court, the group of young men confessed to their actions. As for Kien’s girlfriend, due to insufficient evidence, no criminal proceedings were taken. The group of young men who used drugs in the rented room were administratively punished.

At the end of the trial, Nguyen Xuan Kien was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months in prison, Phan Duc Phuoc to 1 year and 6 months in prison; Dau Thi Ha was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months in prison.