The Supreme People's Procuracy has completed an indictment detailing the actions of Phan Huu Hieu (56 years old, also known as Hieu "Chuot"), Bui Dinh Trung (57 years old), and Nguyen Thanh Nam (45 years old). They are charged with illegal drug trafficking, under clause 4, Article 251 of the Penal Code.
All defendants are death row inmates awaiting execution. Hieu was identified as the ringleader of the largest drug trafficking network in TP HCM, dismantled by the Drug Crime Investigation Department (C04) of the Ministry of Public Security in 2018.
In 10/2019, the People's Court of TP HCM sentenced Phan Huu Hieu, Trung, Nam, and 5 accomplices to death, with one other defendant receiving a life sentence for illegal drug trafficking.
On 21/5/2020, the High-level People's Court in TP HCM upheld the sentences for all defendants, rejecting their appeals.
After the sentences became effective, from 8/2020 to 6/2022, Hieu repeatedly sent denunciations to the Investigative Police Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, confessing to additional crimes committed by himself and his accomplices, requesting clarification on several unaddressed issues.
Hieu claimed the previous verdict only considered five acts of illegal drug trafficking, whereas his group committed a total of six. He also stated that Bui Dinh Trung and Nguyen Thanh Nam had not been fully prosecuted for their involvement in the drug deals that were previously tried.
Upon receiving the denunciations, the Investigative Police Agency of the Ministry of Public Security initiated an investigation, verifying the information and clarifying the reported details.
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Phan Huu Hieu (wearing glasses) and his accomplices during a court appearance in 7/2019. Photo: Hai Duyen. |
Phan Huu Hieu (wearing glasses) and his accomplices during a court appearance in 7/2019. Photo: Hai Duyen.
From gambling addict to drug ring kingpin
Case files reveal Phan Huu Hieu had a prior conviction for gambling. Around 4/2017, while gambling at a casino in Laos, a man named Siva Tony invited Hieu to join a drug trafficking network transporting drugs to Vietnam for distribution, but Hieu initially declined.
One year later, after losing bets and owing Tony 250,000 USD, Hieu agreed to join the network to repay his debt. Tony introduced Hieu to contacts within the network in TP HCM to organize drug deliveries.
In 4/2018, Hieu met several drug distributors in TP HCM, including Phan Thach Dinh and Ly Tho Phuoc, agreeing to a heroin price of 305 to 310 million dong per kilogram.
According to the arrangement, drugs were transported from Laos to Da Nang. Hieu would then receive the shipments and bring them to TP HCM for distribution. For each heroin brick sold, Hieu profited 10 million dong.
To facilitate transportation, Hieu rented a 7-seater oto, installing hidden compartments under the vehicle's floor to conceal the drugs. He also recruited two compatriots, Bui Dinh Trung and Nguyen Thanh Nam, promising each one billion dong for their involvement.
In just three months, from 5/2018 to 7/2018, Hieu and his accomplices carried out six illegal drug trafficking operations, involving a total of 474 heroin bricks (165 kg) and 55 kg of crystal methamphetamine.
On the afternoon of 11/7/2018, C04 forces caught Phan Thach Dinh red-handed while he was transporting 40 heroin bricks just received from Hieu. A search of Dinh's residence uncovered an additional 93 heroin bricks.
Simultaneously, authorities arrested Hieu as he was handing Ly Tho Phuoc a suitcase containing 60 heroin bricks. Searches at related locations led to the seizure of 32 more heroin bricks and the arrest of several other individuals in the network.
During the previous investigation and trial, Hieu and his accomplices were only prosecuted for five acts, involving a total of 379 heroin bricks (132 kg) and 55 kg of crystal methamphetamine.
Following the supplementary investigation prompted by Hieu's denunciations, authorities found sufficient grounds to determine that the defendant is also responsible for an additional drug transaction involving 95 heroin bricks (over 33 kg).
Bui Dinh Trung assisted Hieu in trafficking 277 heroin bricks (over 96,6 kg). Nguyen Thanh Nam aided Hieu in trafficking over 90 heroin bricks (31,3 kg). Neither had received the payment Hieu initially promised.
Other accomplices and links in this network were prosecuted in the phase 1 case. The actions of Siva Tony and some related individuals have been separated into another case for further investigation and handling as evidence emerges.
Regarding Hieu's claims that he embezzled over 19,7 billion dong from Siva Tony's drug proceeds, and that several individuals also embezzled assets from Hieu's family, C04 investigated and verified these claims but found insufficient evidence.
Hai Duyen
