On 4/6, Vo Cong Danh, a former officer of the Binh Tan District Police's Administrative Management Team, was sentenced by Ho Chi Minh City to two years in prison for brokering bribes. Four other former police officers received sentences ranging from two years and six months to eight years for accepting or brokering bribes. Separately, Le Minh Thiep, a former deputy police chief of Luong Binh Commune, Ben Luc District, Long An province, received 11 years and six months for both accepting and brokering bribes. In connection with the case, Lam Thi Hau, the mother of an addict, and Ho Van Phuc, Hau's brother-in-law, were sentenced to two years and six months for giving and brokering bribes.

The widespread scheme unfolded across Ho Chi Minh City and several other localities. It involved officials creating fake documents and legalizing residency to illicitly suspend or revoke mandatory drug rehabilitation orders, allowing individuals to avoid treatment.

Some former police officers at the court. *Photo: Binh Nguyen*

At court today, the defendants admitted to the criminal acts outlined in the indictment.

Lam Thi Hau, expressing remorse for her misguided understanding, stated she sold her wedding ring and gold bracelets to save her son, believing that mandatory rehabilitation was very difficult. She asked Ho Van Phuc to find someone to "rescue" him. Through intermediaries, Hau repeatedly gave a total of 150 million VND to Vo Cong Danh.

Danh kept 30 million VND, transferring 120 million VND to others, including Nguyen Do Nhut Thanh, a former officer of Binh Chanh Commune Police. Thanh acted as an intermediary, receiving information and money from those seeking to legalize fake residency confirmation documents for drug addicts. He processed documents for Hau's son and one other person, receiving a total of 30 million VND for brokering and profiting 2,5 million VND.

Prosecutors also determined that Do Thanh Hai, a former officer of Binh Chanh Commune Police, brokered bribes for 9 drug addicts to help them avoid mandatory rehabilitation. Hai was instrumental in connecting individuals and directly drafting fake residency confirmation documents. He received a total of 160 million VND from bribe-givers or intermediaries, appropriating 62 million VND. The remaining funds were distributed and transferred to commune police officers in Long An to create additional fake residency confirmations.

Some defendants released on bail. *Photo: Binh Nguyen*

Regarding Le Minh Thiep, the People's Procuracy determined he abused his position as Deputy Police Chief of Luong Binh Commune, Ben Luc District. He signed fake residency confirmations for two drug addicts, profiting 20 million VND. Additionally, Thiep received 50 million VND from Hai, which he then gave to other police officers to create fake residency documents for 5 other drug addicts.

Several other police officers were also found to have engaged in similar behavior, receiving between 5 and 50 million VND to help "rescue" drug addicts.

Binh Nguyen