A former police officer from Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam was sentenced to 20 years in prison this week for illegally trading nearly two kilograms of narcotics.

The provincial People’s Court conducted the trial of Nguyen Dinh Nguyen, 32, and Ho Quang Dong, 45, on Tuesday.

Nguyen used to be a lieutenant at a district-level police unit in Nghe An.

The indictment showed that Nguyen met Dong at a diner in early December 2021.

Nguyen said he was a former policeman, which allowed him to become acquainted with some drug dealers, and that he could sell Dong narcotics if he wanted to buy.

On December 14, Dong told Nguyen about his intention to purchase nearly two kilograms of crystal meth.

Nguyen said the drugs would cost VND600 million (US$25,600) and required Dong to pay half of the amount upfront.

After receiving the money, Nguyen bought about 1.8 kilograms of meth from a man in Que Phong District at VND540 million ($23,000).

At around 11:00 am on December 17, Nguyen caught a coach to Nghi Loc District to fetch the narcotics before being caught red-handed by police officers.

Police expanded the investigation and arrested Dong, who claimed he planned to buy the drugs from Nguyen and resell them to another person in Vinh City.

They also confiscated a drug pill at Dong’s house.

Dong’s criminal records showed that he had been jailed for 10 years for the illegal sale of narcotics.

At the end of the trial, the panel decided to sentence Dong to life for dealing in drugs and 18 months in prison for the illegal possession of narcotics.

Nguyen was handed a 20-year jail term for the illicit sale of drugs.

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