Death penalty for 10 people in the case of bringing drugs to Central Mental Hospital 1

After 5 days of trial, on the afternoon of June 5, the People's Court of Son La province sentenced 11 defendants involved in a drug trafficking and illegal possession ring to the Central Psychiatric Hospital 1 (Hanoi).

Among the defendants is Nguyen Xuan Quy (40 years old, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi). This is a drug lord who managed his followers and a group of former employees of the Central Psychiatric Hospital 1, held drug parties and traded illegal goods right in this medical facility.

The People's Court of Son La province sentenced Nguyen Xuan Quy and nine other defendants to death, including: Bui Thi Minh, Diep The Anh, Phan Thi Bich Ngoc (from Hanoi); Dinh Cong U, Nguyen Van Duong, Le Van Cuong, Luong Thi Chung, Tran Thi Hoa, Hoang Van Tai (all from Son La). The remaining defendant, Luong Thi Thuy, was sentenced to life in prison.

11 defendants at Son La Provincial People's Court. Photo: D.X.

On the morning of January 16, 2021, the Van Ho District Police Working Group coordinated with functional forces to carry out tasks in the Pa Kha village area, Long Luong commune. That day, the police arrested Nguyen Van Duong, Le Van Cuong and more than 3.6 kg of crystal meth. Expanding the investigation, the functional forces arrested 9 other people.

According to the indictment, from June 2020 to January 16, 2021, the defendants illegally traded drugs many times, with a total weight of over 21 kg of prohibited goods. Of which, nearly 17 kg were crystal meth.

On August 31, 2022, the Hanoi People's Court sentenced Nguyen Xuan Quy to death for the crimes of illegal drug trafficking, organizing illegal drug use, and illegal drug possession. Nguyen Van Ngoc was also sentenced to death for two crimes of illegal drug trafficking and organizing illegal drug use.

In connection with the case, Ms. Do Thi Luu (former Head of the Department of Rehabilitation and Traditional Medicine, Central Psychiatric Hospital 1) and the remaining 8 defendants received sentences ranging from 3 years to life in prison.

At the end of 2018, Nguyen Xuan Quy did not suffer from mental illness but was forced to receive treatment at the Central Psychiatric Hospital 1. Quy claimed that he took advantage of this treatment to avoid serving his sentence. Here, Quy took advantage of the medical facility's loopholes to organize many high-speed sessions with the participation of a number of hospital staff. In addition, Quy purchased drugs from outside, then hid and traded illegal goods right at the hospital.

According to Zing