LEGAL ANALYSIS:

FLIGHT ATTENDANTS OF
VIETNAM AIRLINES
CARRYING DRUGS

T
he case of 4 flight
attendants of Vietnam
Airlines who were detained
due to carrying over 10
kilograms of the drug is
receiving many public
opinions. There are many
juridical situations
mentioned by the lawyer
while waiting for the official
conclusion from the
approriate authorities.
(Phùng Hưng)
Transportation of drugs for others can get
the death penalty

According to lawyer Nguyen Ngo Quang

Nhat (from Ho Chi Minh City Bar
Association), the authorities are in the
process of investigating and reaching
the final conclusion of this case.
However, if there is any evidence
proving these 4 women are related to a
network of drug consumption, it will be a
criminal issue regarding the illicit
transportation or trafficking of drugs, etc.
The highest punishment for this crime is
the death penalty. (Phùng Hưng) Mr. Nhat claimed that people who Besides, Mr. Nhat also warned us
transport illegal drugs these days use against allowing strangers who have
highly sophisticated devious techniques. us to send goods. For those
They typically hand-carry goods into specializing in transporting as digital
Vietnam as well as use technology for shippers, when they transported
delivery to their benefits. Drugs are goods to customers, shippers should
mixed and packaged similarly to tea, check them carefully to avoid being
functional foods, drinks, and other items. scammed to send prohibited goods.
It is doubly impossible to see the drug (H. Khánh)
within it. (Kim Oanh)

The appropriate authorities successfully “If you are suspicious of senders or

destroyed numerous large drug
trafficking and transportation networks
with their professional measures. In
addition to the testimony of the
suspects, the investigation agency relies
on various documents and pieces of
evidence to determine whether or not
they are actually criminals. (Kim Oanh)
goods, you should give a refusal. For
road transportation, people must
declare senders’ and receivers’
CCCD or ID number,” Mr. Nhat said.
(H. Khánh)
1
 10 kilograms of drugs which 4 Vietnam Airline flight attendants carried were discovered at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Photo by customs officers.

TIntention cannot be innocence

Nguyen Trung Nghia (a lawyer from Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association) stated that a person commits drug
transportation when it is proven criminal intent. In other words, they anticipate the consequences and want to
make them happen.
Hence, provided that the defendant is not aware that they are transporting drugs, which is subsequently proven
by clear evidence and documents, they will be acquitted of any criminal liability(Xuân Quyên).

According to him, to prove that a
person "does not know" hand-carried
goods that they were asked to
transport are drugs, they have to
provide some documents or evidence
such as the contact information of the
consignor and consignee; exchanging
information about sending goods;
proof of receiving payment for
transporting, proof that the goods
have been inspected prior to
shipment; invoices and documents of
goods, etc. (Nhi Hieu)
However, it is exceedingly difficult to
prove the subjective factors for cases
that transport drugs illegally across
the border by air freight. (Thanh Hoa)
And especially, according to the
airline's regulations, flight attendants
are prohibited from carrying goods
across the border for any individual or
organization.(Thanh Hoa)
The defendant who claimed to have been
requested to carry 4 kg of drugs was
still sentenced to death
It is not uncommon for the accused
and defendants to be able to testify
while carrying hand baggage with
drugs inside. In 2020, a Malaysian
defendant was sentenced to death by
the High People’s Court of Ho Chi
Minh city for being spotted when
transporting 4 kg of drugs from Dubai
to Tan Son Nhat airport. (Hoai Linh)
During the investigation, the accused
said that she often traveled in many
countries and met a man devoid of
obvious background. He offered to
book her flights to Brazil and asked
her to deliver his documents to Ho
Chi Minh city, Vietnam with the
payment of 1,200 USD, not including
air fares. However, when she arrived
at Tan Son Nhat airport, the customs
officials checked her 2 suitcases and
found 4 kilograms of cocaine hidden
inside. (Van Loi)

There were a large amount of drugs seized in this case, which can be considered as “an extremely serious crime” if there
is any evidence to prove that this incident is a crime.
The lawyer, Mr. Nghia, said, “ This serious event is a wake-up call to make people pay closer attention to their actions. It
means that any individual needs to take the precaution of keeping or holding someone’s luggage or bags with any
purpose if he or she cannot control what is inside those belongings”. (Ngoc) 2
 Vocabulary

1. seize : tịch thu, thu hồi

2. an extremely serious crime : Tội phạm đặc biệt
nghiêm trọng
3. a wake-up call : Hồi chuông cảnh tỉnh
4. the airline's regulations: Quy định của hãng
hàng không
5. consignor: người gửi hàng
6. consignee: người nhận hàng
7. investigation agency: cơ quan điều tra
8. suspect: nghi phạm
9. the illicit transportation of drugs: Tội vận
chuyển trái phép chất ma túy
10. the death penalty: Tử hình
11. drug trafficking networks: Mạng lưới vận chuyển
ma túy
12. prohibited goods: Hàng hóa cấm
13. Be acquitted of criminal liability: bị truy cứu
trách nhiệm hình sự
14. proof of invoices: chứng cứ về hóa đơn
15. the accused: bị cáo
16. The High People’s Court: Tòa án nhân dân cấp
cao
17. be sentenced: Bị kết tội, bị tuyên án
18. the investigation: quá trình điều tra
19. the customs officers: Cơ quan hải quan
20. drugs/ Cocaine: Ma túy