The Quang Ninh Provincial People's Court is prosecuting a particularly large-scale illegal drug trafficking case, involving Nguyen Phi Co (31, TP HCM) and 17 others.
According to the indictment, the ring formed in 2020, operating in several localities such as Quang Ninh, Hanoi, TP HCM, and other provinces and cities. The group divided tasks from advertising and receiving money to packaging and transportation to erase traces.
Telegram group established for sales
Nguyen Phi Co established the Telegram group "Hoa Son Bup", using the account "Hong Chi Cam" to advertise cannabis from mid-2020. Initially, Co sold retail himself, then became a collaborator for warehouses in Hanoi and TP HCM.
Co posted product codes provided by the warehouses to the group. Customers selected products, messaged privately, then transferred money to bank accounts Co purchased online. After receiving payment, Co forwarded the recipient's address and phone number to the warehouses for packaging and shipping.
For each successful order, Co retained 5-10% of the value, transferring the remainder to the warehouse owner. By the time of his arrest, Co had intermediated the illegal sale of over 412 kg of cannabis, with total transactions exceeding 92 billion VND.
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The criminal group selling cannabis via Telegram at the trial. Photo: Xuan Hoa. |
The criminal group selling cannabis via Telegram at the trial. Photo: Xuan Hoa.
Renting luxury apartments as warehouses, constantly moving to avoid detection
One of Co's large warehouses in Hanoi was managed by Nguyen Duy Manh (26, Yen Hoa ward). On Telegram, Manh established the group "HN-CTV Park Vip", renting apartments at Vinhomes Time City and Imperia Garden to store goods.
Manh invited several acquaintances to manage the warehouses, process orders, package drugs, and record member attendance. When an order was placed, the group hired couriers for inner-city delivery via the Lalamove application or transported it directly. For provincial customers, goods were packaged and sent via passenger buses or transport company representative offices.
In TP HCM, Tran Ngoc Quy (32, from Da Nang City) established the channels "Au duong cam" and "Super phe" to sell goods. Quy hired two people to work in the warehouse, packaging drugs at his private residence in Phu Nhuan ward.
To avoid detection, Quy's group frequently moved warehouses. When large quantities of goods emitted odors or aroused suspicion from apartment security, Quy instructed Hieu to rent another apartment or store drugs at a relative's home for concealment. Co transferred an average of 3-5 orders to Quy's warehouse daily.
Disguised in tea and cake boxes, delivered via applications
The indictment stated that drugs were disguised in tea and cake boxes, then transported via delivery services. Senders used fake names, and recipients only provided addresses.
Transactions were conducted via e-wallets or online-purchased accounts. The links in the chain did not know each other's true identities. Deliveries were made at locker compartments or rendezvous points determined by GPS.
At the trial, the defendants admitted their actions and expressed remorse.
The trial panel is expected to announce the verdict on 9/4.
Le Tan
