4 Laotians get life sentences in transnational drug trafficking case in Vietnam

The People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City on Monday sentenced nine defendants for their roles in a large-scale trafficking ring involving five Laotians and four Vietnamese.

Among the Lao defendants, Thongchaleun Youkhanthone, Syvongphet Saiykham, Sisoulath Vydavone and Sivongxay Chok were each sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal drug transporting.

Another Lao national, Keobounmanh Heng, received a 20-year sentence for the same offense.

Of the four Vietnamese defendants, Nguyen Lap Son and Nguyen Duc Thinh were sentenced to death for illegal drug trading, while Phan Thi Bich Tram, Son’s wife, received a 20-year jail term for the same charge.

Vo Ba Thinh was sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal drug transporting.

Investigators have identified Lam Thien Hiep, a Vietnamese man, as the alleged mastermind behind the trafficking network.

He remains at large and is being wanted by authorities, with the case against him separated for later handling once he is arrested.

Investigators said the case began around October 2023, when Son met Hiep and was invited to join drug trafficking activities.

Unemployed and in need of money for living expenses and rent, Son agreed.

Hiep instructed Son to use his rented house to store drugs and to handle deliveries when required.

Under the arrangement, Son was paid VND6 million (US$228) per month, plus VND5.5 million ($209) for house rent.

He discussed the deal with his wife Tram, who agreed to it.

Hiep later, through a man identified as Duy, whose identity has not yet been determined, provided Son with a mobile phone installed with Telegram and an account named ‘Sang Nguyen’ for communication and instructions.

Son also used another Telegram account, ‘Luxury,’ to communicate with Hiep.

From November 2023 until his arrest, Son repeatedly carried out drug deliveries and received large quantities of drugs under Hiep’s direction.

Authorities said they are continuing to investigate other suspects in an effort to dismantle the network and bring all those involved to justice.