VietNamNet Bridge – The Supreme People's Court in the northern province of Quang Ninh yesterday refused to revoke death sentences given to 29 people involved in the biggest drug trafficking case in Viet Nam.

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The findings followed a four-day appellate trial.

One of the appellants had his death sentence reduced to a life sentence.

The trial was presented with evidence of 5,000 cakes of heroin weighing a total of 1,750 kilos - plus thousands of methamphetamine pills

Of a total of 89 defendants at the preliminary hearing held in January, the provincial People's Court handed down the death penalty to 30 of the traffickers, gave life imprisonment to 13 - and up to 20 years in jail for many others.

They were charged with drug trafficking, forging documents and hiding military weapons. They were also convicted of doing illegal business, not denouncing criminals, bribing and being involved in bribery.

Of the 89 defendants, 40 appealed for a reduction in their sentences, one requested a review of his charges, and another continued to plead his innocence.

At yesterday's hearing, Nong Van Len had his sentence reduce from death to life imprisonment.

The court retained life imprisonment handed down to four defendants and from four to 20 years in jail for another four.

The crimes were discovered late last year. Police said it involved a trafficking ring set up in Viet Nam and involving Laos and China.

VNS/VNN