A Hanoi tribunal official is pictured adding petrol to burning heroin and opium at a stadium in Hanoi

Two women leaders of a drug dealing ring in Hanoi were sentenced to death on Friday in a case that also saw six former police officers of the capital city get prison terms.

The former police officers found guilty of “accepting bribes” were among 23 people convicted by the Hanoi People’s Court for their roles in the drug scandal ten years ago.

Another woman and two men belonging to the 17-member ring received life imprisonment, while 12 other members of the ring were sentenced from 15 to 20 years in prison. The ring was charged with “trafficking and storing drugs”.

Ten years ago, the group set up a “drug market” in Hanoi’s Thanh Nhan Ward and sold more than 10 kilograms of the heroin. In Vietnam, anyone found guilty of possessing more than 600 grams of heroin can face the death penalty.

Pham Dinh Tieng, the policeman in charge of investigating the case, was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment.

Vietnam, ranked as one of the world’s most graft-ridden countries, this year ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

Reported by Thai Son