The case has been described as one of the most serious drug operations uncovered in Quang Ninh in recent years, with authorities seising dozens of heroin bricks and military-grade weapons allegedly used by the suspects to resist arrest.

At the centre of the case were Bui Dinh Khanh, 31, and Ha Thuong Hai, both accused of organising the transportation and sale of large quantities of heroin from Phu Tho province to Quang Ninh province between February and April 2025.

Investigators found that Khanh arranged storage locations for more than 25 bricks of heroin, equivalent to over 8.6 kilograms of narcotics, while also purchasing ecstasy and other illegal drugs for resale. He additionally possessed an AK-style rifle and ammunition to resist law enforcement if necessary.

According to the indictment, at around 9 p.m. on April 17, 2025, police officers moved to arrest the group near the entrance gate of the Cai Lan Industrial Zone while the suspects were allegedly transporting drugs and weapons for a transaction.

Khanh opened fire with the rifle, killing an officer from the Quang Ninh provincial narcotics police department, at the scene. He continued resisting arrest by firing additional shots and ramming police vehicles with a car, causing property damage estimated at more than VND126 million.

In addition to murder charges, the defendants were accused of trafficking and storing dozens of heroin bricks, organising illegal drug use and possessing military weapons.

During the trial, most defendants admitted guilt and requested leniency. In his final statement before sentencing, Khanh acknowledged that the verdict against him was “appropriate for the crime committed” and admitted that greed and involvement in drugs had led to especially serious consequences.

The court sentenced Khanh to death for murder and separately imposed the death penalty for illegal drug trafficking. The combined sentence was capital punishment.

Hai also received a death sentence after being given life imprisonment for murder alongside additional penalties related to narcotics and weapons offences.

Two other defendants, Ngo Van Tuyen and Nguyen Huu Dang, were sentenced to death for illegal drug trafficking.

Besides the four death sentences, the court imposed life imprisonment on five other defendants identified as holding key roles within the trafficking network. Other individuals received prison terms ranging from 12 to more than 21 years.

Several defendants prosecuted for concealing crimes received suspended sentences because they were raising young children.

Two sentenced to death in 143kg cross-border drug trafficking ring

VOV.VN - A court in Ho Chi Minh City has sentenced two men to death and handed down life and prison terms to seven others in a major transnational drug trafficking case involving more than 143 kilograms of narcotics.