Because of drugs, classmates become prisoners

On July 5, the Provincial People's Court opened a first-instance criminal trial to try the case of "Illegal drug trafficking" against Nguyen Duy Chinh (born 1983), residing in Vien Thanh commune, Yen Thanh and Nguyen The Bao (born 1984), residing in Son Thanh commune, Yen Thanh.

Defendants Nguyen Duy Chinh and Nguyen The Bao. Photo: Nhu Binh

According to the indictment, on November 15, 2018, while Nguyen Duy Chinh was at home, a man named Loc (in Nghi Kieu commune) called to order 10 packages of pink phien. Chinh agreed and said 'when I have it, I will contact Loc to let him know.

On November 20, 2018, while driving a taxi to Tuong Duong district, Nguyen Duy Chinh bought 7 packages of methamphetamine for 6 million VND/package and brought them home to hide on top of the wardrobe in the bedroom. On December 5, 2018, while driving a taxi to Hanoi, Chinh received a phone call from Loc asking to buy drugs. The two sides agreed on 7 million VND/package of methamphetamine.

Because he was busy transporting customers to Hanoi, Chinh called his classmate Nguyen The Bao to hire him to come to his house to pick up drugs and deliver them to the customer. Chinh promised to pay Bao 3 million VND for the job or half a package of opium.

After going to Chinh's house to get the drugs, Bao went to the cemetery in village 3, Nghi Van commune, Nghi Loc district, hid the drugs in a tree stump and then contacted Loc to deliver the drugs.

While Bao was waiting for Loc, he was checked by Nghi Loc District Police. Bao voluntarily handed over 7 packages of opium to the authorities.

During an emergency search of Nguyen Duy Chinh’s residence, the investigation agency seized another bag of opium. On December 7, 2018, Nguyen Duy Chinh went to the Nghi Loc District Police Investigation Agency to confess his crime.

The authorities determined that the amount of drugs that the two defendants participated in buying and selling was 145.15 grams, of which Nguyen Duy Chinh must bear criminal responsibility for buying and selling 145.15 grams; Nguyen The Bao must bear criminal responsibility for buying and selling 140.35 grams.

Considering the role of each defendant, aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the panel sentenced Nguyen Duy Chinh to 16 years and 6 months in prison and Nguyen The Bao to 15 years and 6 months in prison for the above crimes.