VIETNAM: TWO PERSONS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUG SMUGGLING

January 11, 2016: The People's Court in the northern province of Lang Son issued two death sentences, two life sentences and other sentences for drug trafficking and smuggling.
According to the indictment on March 2, 2014, police in Cao Lộc District detected and arrested Hong Đinh Hải (37), and Vi Văn Ứng (49), for selling a cake of white powder suspected to be narcotics.
During investigations, Hải and Ứng confessed to the police about their activities, and also that of an aide.
Ứng also told the investigation agency about another ring that he was a member of.
Based on Ứng's statement, two days later, the police caught Lữ Văn Thon (22), living in the central Thanh Hia Province, who was illegally transporting two cakes of narcotics.
Expanding the investigation, the police also arrested ten other people connected with the drug ring.
These included Lý Văn Trường, Tiêu Văn Khăm, Lữ Thị Thương, and Lương Văn Tý, in addition to Li Thị Thủy and another unnamed person.
After a trial that lasted six days, the court declared sentences to 13 defendants, who conspired with their relatives, for their involvement in the case.
With the guilt of each accused confirmed, the court sentenced Lương Văn Tý and Lữ Thị Thương to death.
Vi Văn Ứng and Lý Văn Trường were sentenced to life in prison, while the remaining nine were sentenced from 13 years to 20 years in prison. (Sources: VNS, 12/01/2016)