Crime Vietnam Sentences Two Police Officers to Death for Drug Trafficking

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of VN Express

 

In a landmark case, the Hanoi People's Court has sentenced two suspended police officers to death for their roles in transporting and covering up the trafficking of nearly 140 kg of narcotics across the Vietnam-Laos border. The officers, Ha Minh Duc, 40, and Nguyen Van Hung, 44, exploited their positions in the police force to protect and facilitate a largescale drug operation.

 

The operation, considered "especially egregious" by the court, involved intricate coordination where drugs were smuggled by passenger buses to Long Bien, Hanoi. The officers provided protection by using police vehicles and storing the drugs in their homes.

 

Nguyen The Thanh, 33, orchestrated the operation and, alongside his younger brother Nguyen The Lap, 25, was sentenced to death. The criminal network also involved Nguyen Thi Kim Huong, who received life imprisonment due to being a single mother. However, seven of her associates received the death penalty.

 

Vietnam recently abolished the death penalty for certain crimes but maintains it for drug trafficking due to its severe impact on society. This trial underscores the country's stringent stance against narcotics.

 

The court revealed that Thanh reaped close to VND5 billion (around 6.5 million Thai Baht) from the venture. Huong, who sold the narcotics in Hanoi and Bac Ninh, earned over VND4 billion (approximately 5.2 million Thai Baht).

 

The operation dates back to 2019, when Thanh smuggled 136.8 kg of drugs from Laos. He relied on Huong's claims of acceptable "relationships with the police" to carry out activities with confidence.

 

Hung was implicated when he used a police vehicle to transport drugs at Huong's request, earning VND740 million (about 960,000 Thai Baht) from his involvement. Duc, introduced as a member of the Long Bien District Police, was deeply involved in assisting and strategizing drug transactions, earning VND1.3 billion (approximately 1.7 million Thai Baht).

 

Nine of the defendants had prior drug-related convictions. Thanh and some subordinates were previously sentenced to death for similar offenses, highlighting a pattern of repeated criminal activity.

 

The case illustrates a significant breach of trust and underscores the challenges Vietnam faces in its battle against drug trafficking. The sentences delivered aim to serve as a deterrent, reflecting the grave consequences of exploiting authority for criminal endeavours. The officers were suspended last year pending prosecution by the Supreme People's Procuracy, culminating in this high-profile verdict.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-07-04

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

This should happen in Thailand.