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The Ha Tinh Provincial People's Court sentenced Phan Xuan Hai, 33, former officer of the Drug and Economic Crime Investigation Department under Ha Tinh's Police Department, to 18 years behind bars, and Pham Quang Duong, 28, former officer of the Drug and Economic Crime Investigation Team of Huong Khe District's Police Department, to 15 years.
In connection with the case, Dang Van Dong, 61, residing in Huong Khe District, was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
All were charged with "illegal trading of narcotics."
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Pham Quang Duong, former officer of the Drug and Economic Crime Investigation Team of Huong Khe District’s Police Department, speaks at a trial in Ha Tinh Province, July 17, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Hung |
According to the verdict announced Wednesday, in June 2022, Duong, as a police officer, met Dong to gather information about the activities of several individuals involved in drug trafficking in the area.
After a while of working together, in March 2023, Dong asked Duong to purchase methamphetamine pills to resell for profit.
Duong discussed with Hai and the three agreed on a price of VND50,000 per pill.
Duong used the social media app Telegram to communicate with Hai.
Hai was in charge of contacting various closed groups, and eventually secured deals to purchasing drugs worth a total VND60 million. At this point, he had yet to pay any to his suppliers.
Once he had the drugs, Hai hid them under the foot of a traffic signpost in Huong Khe District, and called Duong to collect them.
Duong placed the box of drugs by the roadside in front of Dong's house and messaged, "There is a gift at your gate, come and get it."
Dong opened it and found 10 plastic packages, each containing about 200 methamphetamine pills, which he later sold for VND60,000-120,000 per pill.
Dong then packed VND100 million in cash and brought the money to a café in Huong Khe Town asking an acquaintance of Hai to receive it on his behalf, intending to pay for the drugs.
On the afternoon of April 1, Hai came to the café and collected the money.
On April 11, while delivering drugs, Dong was caught by Huong Khe District Police with 40 methamphetamine pills. From Dong's testimony, the investigation team arrested police officers Hai and Duong.
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Phan Xuan Hai, former officer of the Drug and Economic Crime Investigation Department under Ha Tinh’s Police Department, is escorted at a court in Ha Tinh Province, July 17, 20204. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Hung |
Police determined that the 10 packages of methamphetamine that Hai sold through Duong to Dong weighed just over 193 grams.
Hai said the drugs were purchased online from an unknown person, and this was his first such transaction.
Vietnam enforces some of the world's strictest drug laws, imposing the death penalty for trafficking or transporting 100 grams or more of heroin or cocaine, or 300 grams or more of methamphetamine. Individuals caught with smaller amounts, such as with cannabis or ecstasy, face harsh penalties including lengthy prison sentences and compulsory rehabilitation programs.
