The Nghe An Provincial People's Court issued its verdict on 25/12/2024, convicting Vu, 42, a resident of Na Ngoi commune, of illegally transporting narcotics under Article 250 of the Penal Code.

Mua Ba Vu at court, 25/12/2024. Photo: Hung Le

Before his arrest, Mua Ba Vu served as chairman of the Na Ngoi Commune People's Committee, which was formerly part of the border district of Ky Son.

According to case records, on 6/1, an individual named Tu, a Lao national whose identity remains unknown, contacted Vu. Tu proposed hiring Vu to transport drugs from Na Ngoi commune to the former Nam Dan district, offering a 100 million dong fee. Vu accepted the offer.

On 8/1, Vu drove an oto to the agreed meeting point, where he collected several packages of drugs and concealed them under the rear passenger seat. The two parties had agreed to use a fixed drop-off location on National Highway 15A, passing through the former Nam Dan district. Vu was to leave the "goods" there, take photos, and send the location to Tu's associates for pickup.

Due to an unclear drop-off location, the client requested a change, leading Vu to drive towards the former Vinh City. Around 7 AM on 9/1, authorities apprehended Vu in Thanh Vinh ward while he was transporting the drugs. Investigators seized over 22 kg of narcotics from the oto.

During the trial, Vu expressed remorse, testifying that greed for the 100 million dong payment led him to commit the crime. He pleaded with the trial panel for a reduced sentence, hoping for a chance to return to his family.

The trial panel acknowledged that Vu transported an exceptionally large quantity of drugs, warranting severe punishment. However, Vu received several mitigating factors: he made an honest confession, earned numerous commendations during his public service, and his father was awarded the First Class Resistance Order.

Duc Hung