On December 1, the People's Court of Ha Noi sentenced Ha Van Sang, 38, of Lao Cai, to 17 years in prison, while Ha Thi Phong, 36, of Son La, received 16 years. Both were convicted of illegal drug trading, as per Article 251 of the Criminal Code.

Two defendants in court. *Photo: Danh Lam*

Sang worked as a construction contractor in Ha Noi, specializing in formwork installation, dismantling, and concrete pouring.

According to the indictment, in early February, after securing a project on Ton Duc Thang Street, Sang hired 11 freelance workers, paying them 350,000-400,000 VND daily. Ha Thi Phong, an acquaintance, assisted him for 8 million VND per month.

Due to pressure to meet deadlines, Sang pushed his crew to work day and night, offering advances every 10 days for living expenses. Some workers explicitly requested "stuff," identified as heroin, to stay awake. Others even proposed receiving their wages in drugs.

Prosecutors stated Sang bought and distributed drugs daily to his workers, deducting the cost from their wages, to prevent them from purchasing drugs elsewhere or abandoning the job.

In early March, Sang purchased drugs three times from an unknown individual. The first purchase, for 5 million VND, occurred on 20/3 in Ban Mon village. The second, for 7 million VND, was on 25/5. The third, for 50 million VND, happened shortly before his arrest. Phong assisted in distributing the drugs to the workers. Following the third distribution, investigators searched the site and arrested Sang and Phong on 5/6. Evidence seized included 81 nylon packets of white powder, identified as heroin, and 12 pink Methamphetamine tablets.

During the inspection, all 11 workers tested positive for drugs and were sent to mandatory rehabilitation centers.

By Hai Thu