HANOI — Vietnam has sentenced 10 people to death for smuggling meth, ketamine, and ecstasy across the country by train, state media reported Friday, as the communist country deepens its crackdown on illegal drugs. ADVERTISEMENTFive men and five women were given the death penalty after the trial this week in Hanoi, while two others got life in prison. “The two ringleaders were paid hundreds thousands of dollars,” for trafficking the drugs, state-run Vietnamnet news site reported. The trial comes on the heels of several massive drugs busts in Vietnam, which boasts some of the world’s toughest drug laws. Anyone caught with more than 600 grams (21 ounces) of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine can face the death penalty.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 17, 2019 05:48 UTC