Couple jailed for selling cocaine to drug users.

Selling "ketamine" to drug users in karaoke bars.

Recently, the People's Court of Nghe An province brought defendants Nguyen Duc Quan (31 years old) and Hoang Thi Ngoc Quyen (32 years old), both residing in Le Loi ward, Vinh City, to trial for the crime of "illegally trading narcotics." Not long before, Quyen was also tried for selling drugs to a group of young men and women partying at a well-known villa in Cua Hoi.

In this court appearance, the accomplices of the couple included defendant Dang Thi Thuy Linh (25 years old), residing in Tung Chau commune, Duc Tho district (Ha Tinh province). Separately, defendants Tran Hai Duong (36 years old), residing in Vinh City, and Dau Thi Chi (34 years old), residing in Dien Thanh commune, Dien Chau district, were prosecuted for the crime of "Organizing the illegal use of substances".drug"

Nguyen Duc Quan and Hoang Thi Ngoc Quyen are husband and wife. They came together after both had experienced failed marriages and each had children from their previous relationships. After their "rekindled" romance, they had a child together. Quyen claimed to earn a living as a freelance worker and online seller. However, this was merely a cover for her illegal drug trafficking activities.

The two defendants, Nguyen Duc Quan and Hoang Thi Ngoc Quyen, at the court. Photo: Tran Vu

According to the indictment and the defendant's testimony at the trial, late on the night of January 1, 2022 (the first day of the Lunar New Year), Quyen received a phone call ordering a "shirt" of Ketamine from a female employee of a karaoke bar in Nghi Thai commune, Nghi Loc district, named Dang Thi Thuy Linh. Previously, Linh had been asked by a customer, Tran Hai Duong, to buy drugs for the group to use in the karaoke room.

Quyen quoted a price of 1.3 million VND and requested that the money be transferred in advance to her husband Nguyen Duc Quan's account. After the customer transferred the money, Quyen personally delivered the drugs to Linh. Linh then gave the drugs to the customer. Afterwards, Duong instructed a female employee of another karaoke bar, Dau Thi Chi, to "process the ketamine" - making the ketamine into a fine powder, forming a thin line for people to inhale.

The group continued partying until midnight the next day, when Duong asked Linh to buy another "coat" of Ketamine to "get high." Linh contacted Quyen again to buy the drugs. This time, Quan delivered the drugs to the customers. Just as Linh received the drugs, the police raided the place, discovering 11 people using drugs. Taking advantage of a moment when she went to the restroom, Linh threw the drugs into the toilet and flushed.

"Old habits die hard."

Based on the suspects' statements, the investigating agency issued an emergency detention order and searched the residence of Nguyen Duc Quan and Hoang Thi Ngoc Quyen, seizing 14 plastic bags containing drugs and many drug pills. The investigating agency determined that in this case, Quan, Quyen, and Linh had sold drugs to users four times.

At the time of her arrest, due to having a young child to care for, Hoang Thi Ngoc Quyen was placed under house arrest. Instead of repenting, during this time, Quyen participated in another drug trafficking operation and was arrested on April 4, 2022.

Defendant Quyen repeatedly covered his face and wept in court. Photo: Tran Vu

Specifically, a group of people who frequented a well-known villa in Cua Hoi contacted Quyen to buy drugs. Quyen sold them 8 "candy" pills (i.e., drugs) for 9 million VND.

After using drugs, the group partied wildly at the villa to loud music. While the individuals were high on drugs, the Nghe An Police raided the villa and caught them red-handed. On the same day, the investigating agency issued an emergency detention order against Hoang Thi Ngoc Quyen. In this case, the Provincial People's Court recently sentenced Quyen to 2 years in prison.

Price

Appearing before the witness stand for the second time, defendant Quyen admitted to the crime. The female defendant confessed that she and her husband sold drugs for use by people in the karaoke bar. She presented her difficult circumstances, stating that both she and her husband are currently facing legal troubles and their children are young, and requested the court to consider mitigating circumstances to reduce her sentence.

Appearing in court alongside his wife, the defendant Quan admitted to trafficking drugs out of "greed." He also expressed remorse and requested a reduced sentence so that he could return to his children sooner, as both he and his wife would be imprisoned.

Facing charges of "Organizing the illegal use of narcotics," defendant Duong stated: "That day, because I had consumed alcohol and was drunk, I wanted to try the feeling of drugs. I am not addicted." "So, did you know that this act was against the law?" the court questioned. Duong bowed his head and admitted knowing.

As the person directly preparing the drugs for customers, defendant Chi testified that, as a service employee, she followed the customers' requests. She expressed remorse and asked the court to reduce her sentence so she could return home to care for her children. "I am divorced, and my two children are currently being cared for by relatives. I ask the court to consider reducing my sentence," defendant Chi stated.

The defendants in the case appear in court. Photo: Tran Vu

In the presence of a large crowd at the trial, the panel of judges reminded everyone of the legal regulations regarding drug-related crimes. Drugs are the root cause of all other crimes. Many incidents, even murders, stem from "hallucinations" after drug use. The recent phenomenon of young people "partying" in karaoke bars, motels, and even high-end resorts has sounded an alarm about this type of crime among the younger generation. Therefore, the defendants' acts of buying, selling, and organizing the illegal use of drugs need to be severely punished to serve as a deterrent, educational measure, and general prevention.

In this case, defendant Duong was the instigator of drug use among many others, and was therefore sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison. Defendants Hoang Thi Ngoc Quyen and Dang Thi Thuy Linh each received 7 years in prison; defendant Nguyen Duc Quan received 7 years and 6 months in prison; and female employee Dau Thi Chi, who processed the drugs, received a 2-year prison sentence.

Both husband and wife received harsher sentences than their accomplice, causing Quyen to wipe away tears several times. Driven by greed and a disregard for the law, this woman committed the crime of illegal drug trafficking twice. With both parents in prison, the children are now the ones who suffer the most.

"Ke" is used either by direct inhalation or mixed with hard liquor or water, and it has devastating effects on both health and finances. Long-term use of "ke" or "crystal meth" can easily lead to mental disorders.