Phan Hoa Nhut, a 38-year-old lawyer from An Giang, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on 2/2 by Regional People's Court 5. He was found guilty of illegal possession of narcotics and organizing illegal drug use. Nhut had seven years of experience in the Procuracy before becoming a lawyer and director of a law firm in Ho Chi Minh City. He also taught at several universities. The Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association temporarily suspended his lawyer status following his criminal actions.

In connection with the case, Tran Van Toan, 31, from Nam Dinh, also received a 10-year sentence for the same two charges. Le Thi Quynh Nhu, 25, from Dak Lak, was sentenced to eight years for organizing illegal drug use. Combined with a three-year suspended sentence for gambling, her total prison term is 11 years.

Lawyer Phan Hoa Nhut. *Photo: Bao Long An*

According to the indictment, police discovered Nhut and three others using illicit drugs during an inspection of a rental room on Tran Ke Xuong street on the morning of 15/5. This operation was conducted by the Drug Crime Investigation Team of Phu Nhuan District Police, in coordination with Ward 7 Police. Authorities seized synthetic drugs, "nuoc vui", and various drug paraphernalia at the scene.

During questioning, Nhut told investigators that on 12/5, Le Thi Quynh Nhu, Nguyen Thi Hoai Thuong, 24, and Tran Van Toan, 30, invited him for drinks. The next morning, the group went to Nhu's rental room on Tran Ke Xuong street, where they continued drinking beer and started using drugs. Nhut agreed to participate, bringing a laser light, an astronaut light, and a white ceramic plate from the pub.

At the rental room, Toan ordered two packages of "nuoc vui" and one package of drugs online, costing over 8 million VND, for the group's consumption. On the evening of 13/5, after paying Toan for the initial purchase, Nhut asked him to buy more "goods" for the group to continue using.

The group consumed three packages of drugs and two packages of "nuoc vui" over three consecutive days. One package of "nuoc vui" was seized by the task force during the raid. Investigators confirmed that Nhu and Toan committed similar offenses to Nhut. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thuong, however, did not participate in purchasing or preparing the drugs and was handed over to the ward police for administrative processing.

Binh Nguyen