Vietnam sentences 55 to death for drug trafficking in 2001
A total of 55 people were sentenced to death for drug trafficking
in Vietnam last year, according to an annual report published by
an official paper.
Fifty-nine other drug traffickers were sentenced to life in prison, according to the Gia dinh
va Xa Hoi (Family and Society), citing statistics from the national committee in charge of
the fight against drugs.
At least 85 people were handed the death penalty for drug offences in 2000, compared
with 76 in 1999 and 58 in 1998.
The fall in the number of death sentences last year followed an amendment to anti-drug
legislation under which possession of 300 grams (10.5 ounces) of heroin attracted capital
punishment, compared with 100 grams (3.5 ounces) previously.
Last year Vietnamese courts tried 8,039 people in 6,205 drug cases among the total
number of 12.811 cases, up 24 percent over 2000 according to official statistics.
Five police officers were killed last year in the fight against drugs which is becoming
"tougher and more complicated" in Vietnam where the number of drug addicts continues
to rise, especially in the large cities, the paper said.
Drugs are generally imported into Vietnam from the infamous "Golden Triangle" drug
producing region of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, and the country is also a transit point
for shipments of amphetamines and ecstasy produced in the area and destined for
Western markets.
Agence France Presse - January 02, 2002.
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