Two sentenced to death in drug trafficking ring from Nghe An to Dong Nai
(Baonghean.vn) - For the sale of nearly 3 kg of crystal meth, 2 defendants in a transnational drug trafficking ring were sentenced to death.
On September 7, the People's Court of Nghe An province opened a first-instance criminal trial of 5 defendants for the crime of "Illegal drug trafficking". The defendants include:Nguyen Van Duong(born in 1980), Phan Dinh Hoang (born in 1962), Nguyen The Lam (born in 1976), Tran Van Tuong (born in 1979), all residing in Hanh Lam commune; defendant Luong Thi Thuong (born in 1985), residing in Thanh Son commune (Thanh Chuong).
According to the investigation agency's documents, Thuong and Lam had a romantic relationship. Around the beginning of September 2019, Thuong complained to Lam about being in debt, "If anyone hires you to carry goods (drugs), go ahead." Three days later, Lam went to Duan's car wash and said, "If you need someone to carry goods, Thuong is here, let him carry goods to earn some money." Duan promised to call when he needed someone.
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| Defendant Nguyen Van Duan (white shirt) and his accomplices. Photo: Tran Vu |
Around mid-September 2019, when Duong went to Ho Chi Minh City, a man came to ask to buydrugThe two sides agreed on 1 kg of crystal meth for 270 million VND, to be delivered in Dong Nai.
Because Hoang had previously met Duan and told him about the drug deal, Duan contacted this person. The two sides agreed to pool money to buy 2 kilos of crystal meth each.
On the afternoon of October 7, 2019, Hoang met Tuong (a brother in arms) and said he needed someone to "get drugs". Tuong then went to Lam to ask and Lam agreed to go get the goods.
Near the stadium of Hanh Lam commune, Duong gave Hoang 10,000 USD to buy 2 kg of crystal meth. Hoang and Tuong each contributed 5,000 USD to participate in this business. Then, Tuong took 20,000 USD and hired Lam to buy 4 kg of crystal meth, paying 20 million VND/kg.
On the morning of October 11, 2019, Lam invited Thuong to buy drugs. After that, the two went to Lam's shack in Cha Coong village, Thanh Son commune, and bought 2,993.97 grams of drugs from two Lao people for 15,000 USD.
At 8:30 p.m., Lam and Thuong were waiting for a bus in Hung Dao commune (Hung Nguyen) to bring drugs to Dong Nai for sale when they were discovered and caught red-handed by the police.
On February 5, 2020, Nghe An Police issued a wanted notice for Nguyen Van Duan for "Illegal drug trafficking". On April 24, 2020, Duan was arrested while hiding in Dong Nai.
In court, the defendants admitted to the crimes as charged in the indictment. Defendant Duận said he bought the drugs because of greed. Defendants Thuong and Lam said they agreed to transport the drugs because of debt but had not yet received any money. Facing the death penalty, defendants Hoang and Duận asked for a chance to live.
With an exceptionally large amount of drugs, the People's Court sentenced Nguyen Van Duan and Phan Dinh Hoang to death; and the three defendants Nguyen The Lam, Tran Van Tuong, and Luong Thi Thuong to life in prison for the crime of "Illegal drug trafficking".
