Trial of drug traffickers

(Baonghean) - On the morning of March 22, the Provincial People's Court brought the first instance criminal case to trial for the crime of "illegal drug trafficking" against the defendants: Lu Thi Minh (born in 1984) and Lu Cao Thuong (born in 1986) (two biological sisters), Kha Van Thuc (born in 1977), both residing in Tam Quang commune (Tuong Duong), Vi Thi Det (born in 1982), residing in Luong Minh commune (Tuong Duong), Lo Van Xao (born in 1968), residing in Chieu Luu commune (Ky Son).

The indictment determined: At the end of March 2011, Nguyen Anh Dung gave 450,000,000 VND to Lu Thi Minh so that Minh, Thuong, Thuc, and Xao could buy 2.5 heroin cakes weighing 875 grams. On May 1, 2011, Dung gave another 22,000 USD and 82,000,000 VND to the above subjects to buy 3 heroin cakes weighing 1,001 grams. On May 11, 2011, Lo Van Xao brought 24.375 grams of heroin and 0.19 grams (synthetic drugs) to sell and was caught red-handed by the investigating police agency.

After a day of interrogation and determining the defendants' crimes, on the morning of March 23, the Trial Council sentenced: Lu Thi Minh to death and a fine of 20 million VND; Lu Cao Thuong to life in prison and a fine of 20 million VND; Vi Thi Det to life in prison and a fine of 10 million VND; Kha Van Thuc to life in prison and a fine of 10 million VND and Lo Van Xao to 20 years in prison and a fine of 10 million VND.

D.P