Crime Vietnam's Major Drug Case: Four Face Death Penalty

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Photo courtesy of VN Express

 

In a landmark ruling, the Hue People's Court in central Vietnam has sentenced four individuals to death for their involvement in trafficking nearly 30 kilograms of narcotics. This case marks the largest drug bust ever recorded in the city, highlighting the region’s ongoing battle against drug-related crime.

 

The operation, deemed a major success by local authorities, thwarted the potential trafficking of a significant volume of narcotics into Hue and its neighbouring provinces. The haul included more than 20.9 kg of methamphetamine, 4.1 kg of ketamine, and nearly 388 g of MDMA. These are staggering quantities that represent a severe threat to the community.

 

At the centre of the network was Tran Bao Vu, aged 32, identified by the court as the mastermind behind the operation. Vu reportedly orchestrated the movement of 28.44 kg of narcotics, playing a pivotal role in the illegal trafficking enterprise. His operation was both sophisticated and extensive, utilising various rented properties to store and sell drugs.

 

Vu’s primary accomplices, Phan Minh Trung, Le Khac Di, and Nguyen Duy Quang, were also found guilty and received death sentences. Their involvement included the coordination and distribution of 10.7 kg of drugs. This illegal activity spanned several provinces, indicating a broad network of distribution that was efficiently dismantled by local police.

 

The defendants faced charges of "illegal transportation" and "illegal trading" of narcotics, serious offenses under Vietnam’s Penal Code. The legal proceedings were thorough, with authorities providing irrefutable evidence that linked the accused to the crimes.

 

The investigation revealed that between 2023 and 2024, Vu regularly procured drugs from Quang Binh, now part of Quang Tri Province, with specific instructions given to accomplices to secure places for storage and sale. These arrangements involved multiple hideouts and a well-organized system to evade law enforcement.

 

Significant quantities of narcotics were seized during raids on these locations. Authorities confiscated over 10.7 kg of a variety of drugs from a rented room on Pham Van Dong Street. A notable arrest involved an accomplice caught in the act, transporting 5.68 kg of methamphetamine from Hue to Quang Binh. Additionally, further stockpiles, totalling 10.94 kg and 6.64 kg, were discovered in hideouts located on Ngu Binh and Tran Phu streets, respectively.

 

Beyond the four death sentences, the court handed life imprisonment to four other accomplices and sentenced three defendants to 20 years in prison each. These sentences reflect the severe implications of drug trafficking offences in Vietnam and underscore the country’s zero-tolerance stance towards such crimes.

The prosecution’s success in this case signals a robust crackdown on drug networks in the region. By dismantling this operation, authorities have potentially curbed further illegal activities that could have wreaked havoc on local communities.

 

This case has resonated deeply within Hue and its surroundings, where the grip of drug networks poses a constant threat to public safety and order. The decisive action by law enforcement and the courts serves as a stern warning to others involved in similar activities.

 

The authorities are commended for their diligence and commitment to maintaining law and order, ensuring that such large-scale drug trafficking is swiftly and effectively addressed. As this case concludes, it serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the efficacy of coordinated law enforcement efforts in Vietnam.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-08-22