HCMC court sentences 27 to death in drug trafficking case

The Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) People's Court handed down death sentences to a Vietnamese drug lord and 26 of her accomplices on Friday. This case marks the largest number of individuals sentenced to death in Vietnam in the past decade, reflecting the severity of the crime.

The 35-member drug trafficking network was found to have smuggled a total of 626 kilograms of illegal drugs from Cambodia into Vietnam between March 2018 and November 2022. The court detailed the extensive nature of the operation, which involved a significant amount of drugs being transported across borders over a four-year period.

Vu Hoang Oanh, also known as Oanh Ha, was identified as the mastermind behind the operation. At 67 years old, she was convicted of illegal drug trafficking and fined VND 200 million (approximately US$7,855). Oanh Ha's leadership role in the network made her the central figure in the court's decision.

Along with Oanh Ha, 26 of her subordinates were sentenced to death. These individuals were convicted for their involvement in the trafficking, transportation, and storage of illegal drugs. The scale of their involvement in the operation led to their harsh sentences.

In addition to those sentenced to death, six other members of the network were handed life sentences, while two others received 20-year prison terms. The court also ordered all of the defendants to return the illicit profits, which amounted to tens of billions of dong, to the state budget.

Vietnam is known for its strict stance on drug crimes, and the country’s legal framework includes some of the toughest drug laws in the world. Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine or 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine can face the death penalty. This case is a clear example of the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward drug trafficking and its commitment to enforcing severe punishments for those involved in such criminal activities.