On 20/4, Thongchaleun Youkhanthone, 27, and four other Laotians faced trial at the People's Court of TP HCM on charges of illegal drug transportation.
Nguyen Lap Son, 39, and his wife, Phan Thi Bich Tram, 31, were tried by the People's Court of TP HCM for illegal drug trading. Two other defendants were also prosecuted for one of these offenses.
Lam Thien Hiep, identified as the ringleader of the operation, is currently at large. Law enforcement separated his case for ongoing investigation.
The unseen ringleader
According to the indictment, Thongchaleun Youkhanthone and his group of compatriots were hired by an unidentified Laotian woman to transport drugs into Vietnam.
During the trial and prior investigation, Thongchaleun stated that individuals named Nat and Say hired him for 6,000 USD. The group received a car and accompanying personnel for support. They posed as tourists to evade authorities. They entered Vietnam through the Lao Bao border gate and traveled to TP HCM.
En route, the group picked up a Vietnamese man named Thanh. In Da Nang, Thanh directed them to collect 9 bags and two sacks containing drugs, which they concealed in the vehicle.
Upon reaching Hoc Mon district, the group delivered 7 bags and two sacks to various contacts as pre-arranged. They then drove a short distance further to deliver the remaining amount. After completing the deliveries, Thanh departed. The group was arrested in Quang Ngai province on their return journey.
Several members of the group admitted knowing about the drug transportation but participated nonetheless. Thongchaleun claimed he used most of his payment for travel expenses and to share with his companions; he surrendered the remaining amount to investigators.
 |
Nguyen Lap Son (third from left) and the Laotian defendants in the drug ring at court today. Photo: Hai Duyen
Hoc Mon residence becomes drug storage and distribution hub
After the drugs entered TP HCM, Hiep instructed his subordinates to deliver them to Son for storage and distribution.
Son testified that Hiep invited him to participate in drug trading in 10/2023. Unemployed and needing money for living expenses and rent, Son agreed. He allowed Hiep to use his residence in Hoc Mon district as a hiding place. Son discussed this with his wife, Tram, and both consented.
They agreed that Son would receive 6 million VND per month, plus 5.5 million VND for rent. Hiep provided a phone with the Telegram application pre-installed for coordination. Son was responsible for receiving, storing, dividing, and delivering drugs as instructed.
From 11 to late 12/2023, Son participated in several transactions. In early 12, Hiep brought two boxes containing about 50-60 kg of synthetic drugs and 15 heroin bricks to Son's house. They moved the drugs to the bedroom for division, packaging, and concealment. In addition to wholesale distribution, Son was also allocated a portion for retail sales.
Subsequently, following remote instructions, Son opened the door for someone to collect a box of approximately 12 kg of drugs for distribution. In the following days, people came to collect drugs every two to three days, and Son received payment for each delivery.
In the early morning of 25/12/2023, Hiep's subordinate, Vo Ba Thinh, drove a car carrying 7 bags and two sacks of drugs to Son's house. After checking the contents, Thinh left, returning an hour later to collect the goods for delivery as instructed. While loading a large quantity of drugs into the car, Thinh was caught red-handed by police.
At the scene, authorities seized over 100 kg of drugs. A search of Son's residence uncovered an additional over 43 kg of drugs hidden in various locations throughout the house. Expanding the investigation, the People's Police of TP HCM, in coordination with the Police of Duc Pho town, Quang Ngai, arrested Thongchaleun and his group the next day.
The trial continues with questioning and is expected to conclude with sentencing this afternoon.
Hai Duyen
