On the afternoon of 21/4, after two days of trial, Thien, 48, former vice chairman of Phu Lam ward (formerly Ha Dong district), was sentenced by the Hanoi People's Court to 7 years in prison for organizing illegal drug use. This case occurred at Hoang Kim, a karaoke venue that also operates as a guesthouse in Thanh Tri. The People's Procuracy had previously recommended a sentence of 6 years and six months in prison.

The former ward vice chairman received additional mitigating circumstances due to his good performance at work and his family's history of contributions to the revolution.

Regarding whether Thien was the initiator of organizing drug use, the trial panel determined that the case documents and defendant testimonies did not provide a solid basis to confirm his role as the initiator.

Pham Quang Thien, former vice chairman of Phu Lam ward (formerly Ha Dong district), at the trial. *Photo: Danh Lam*

Thien and his companion, defendant Lai Quoc Viet, consumed alcohol and went out together, making them equally complicit in organizing drug use. Viet directly contacted the guesthouse, purchased drugs, and called for attendants; the two then agreed to split the costs.

Therefore, the trial panel sentenced Viet to 7 years and six months in prison. The two female employees who used drugs were also sentenced to 7 years and 4 years in prison, respectively, for organizing illegal drug use.

Siblings Dang Thi Hong Linh, 36, and Dang The Chung, 34, who owned the venue, were sentenced to 8 years in prison for illegal drug trading and 9 years in prison for organizing illegal drug use, resulting in a combined sentence of 17 years in prison for each.

The remaining defendants, including Chung's wife, drug dealers, clients who organized drug parties, and venue staff, received sentences ranging from 18 months of probation to 24 years in prison.

The trial panel assessed the case as particularly serious, negatively impacting social order and safety, increasing illicit activities, and causing public outrage. The actions of the Hoang Kim owners were extensive, systematic, and involved organizing drug use for many people.

The defendants at the court. *Photo: Danh Lam*

According to the verdict, siblings Chung and Linh operated the Hoang Kim karaoke and guesthouse, combining it with drug sales and organizing VIP rooms for clients to use illicit substances. They hired male staff for lookout and drug delivery, arranged paraphernalia, and hired female staff to serve clients during drug-induced parties. They charged clients 450,000 dong per hour or 2.5 million dong for 12 hours.

Vice Chairman Thien frequented this drug den after drinking and singing karaoke until midnight. Viet contacted Linh, the owner of Hoang Kim, instructing her to prepare a room, drugs, and two "hostesses" for a total price of 7 million dong. Viet paid upfront, and Thien agreed to split the costs with his friend later.

They, along with two female employees, consumed two 'candy' pills (ecstasy) and 1.5 chi (a unit of weight) of Ketamine. At 3 AM the next day, 8/6/2025, they were caught red-handed by the police.

Hai Thu