On 23/12, Tran Thanh Hieu, 25, and Nguyen Van Xanh, 39, known as "Cau", were sentenced to death by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court for illegal drug trafficking.

In the same case, Do Linh Vu, 43, received a 20-year prison sentence for illegal drug trafficking and three years for illegal drug possession, totaling 23 years. Ma Hoang Thach, 29, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for illegal drug possession.

Defendants Tran Thanh Hieu (far right) and Nguyen Van Xanh (far left) with accomplices at court. Photo: *Hai Duyen*

The indictment stated that Hieu, due to cockfighting gambling debts exceeding 100 million dong in Cambodia, agreed to guard a drug stash for a man in Cambodia to settle his debt.

This individual rented two houses on Street 24 and Go Xoai in the former Binh Tan district to conceal drugs, entrusting Hieu with their management. To facilitate oversight, Hieu hired Xanh to guard the two caches, paying him 10 million dong monthly. Concurrently, Hieu connected with Ma Hoang Thach, asking him to find drug buyers and promising payment.

Around May 2024, Thach brokered a deal for an individual named Dong to purchase 500 grams of ketamine. Hieu quoted 150 million dong, receiving payment in two installments near the Bon Xa intersection. Following the successful transaction, Hieu paid Thach 5 million dong.

In late July and early August 2024, Hieu received large quantities of drugs on two occasions from unidentified individuals. Specifically, on 29/7/2024, near Xuyen A Hospital in Cu Chi district, Hieu received a suitcase containing 20 kg of methamphetamine, 30 bricks of heroin, and 1 kg of ketamine. On 1/8/2024, Hieu received an additional three bricks of heroin near the Go May intersection on National Route 1A.

Hieu brought all these drugs back to be stored in the two aforementioned houses. Xanh was fully aware of the drug concealment and was repeatedly asked by Hieu to retrieve items from the stash for delivery.

Regarding the network, Do Linh Vu – who purchased drugs from Hieu – knew Vo Thuy Quynh wanted to buy, so he contacted a man named Quang in Cambodia to buy goods for resale. On 31/7/2024, Quynh ordered 1 kg of methamphetamine and four packets of "nuoc vui".

Following instructions from the man in Cambodia, Hieu delivered the drugs to Quynh. As Quynh was not home, Vu picked them up at the entrance of Quynh's alley in the Go Vap area. On 1/8/2024, Vu took two packets of methamphetamine and four packets of "nuoc vui" to a karaoke bar in Long Thanh district, Dong Nai province, to use with a group of friends.

The following morning, a Ho Chi Minh City Police patrol team noticed Xanh riding a motorbike with suspicious behavior and stopped him. Based on his testimony, police conducted an emergency search of Hieu's two caches, seizing a large quantity of various drugs and other exhibits.

Searching Vu's residence at a resort in Vung Tau city, police seized an additional 50 grams of various drugs.

In court, Hieu claimed the drugs were not his, while Thach recanted his testimony, asserting no involvement in the network and requesting a new investigation. However, the court determined that the case file contained sufficient grounds to conclude the defendants committed the crimes as stated in the indictment.

Hai Duyen