Russian man jailed for seven months for cannabis possession

Shedko Dmitrii on trial in Bình Thuận Province on Monday.— VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Thanh

BÌNH THUẬN — Bình Thuận Province People’s Court on Monday handed a seven-month prison sentence to a Russian man for illegal possession of narcotics.

According to the verdict, 34-year-old Shedko Dmitrii arrived in Việt Nam in November 2019 and rented an apartment at Hàm Tiến Ward, Phan Thiết City, the south-central province of Bình Thuận.

In August 2020, he suffered a broken hand during a fight, and after the injury healed, he claimed he was still in pain and decided to use cannabis as a painkiller.

In August 2021, he bought seeds to plant in his own home as he said he didn’t have money to purchase the product.  However, the excuse was deemed unacceptable, as before growing the cannabis, Dmitrii spent a significant sum of money on lights, humidifiers, dryers, electronic scales, and microscales for his growing system.

On December 24, 2021, Phan Thiết City’s criminal police said they caught Dmitrii in illegal possession of a large amount of dried cannabis (about 3kg in total) as well as 27 live cannabis plants (ranging between 30-140cm in height and weighing 6kg in total).

The police also seized instruments used in the cultivation and harvesting of cannabis.

The court said the defendant had given a sincere confession, repented and had no prior criminal record, making him eligible for a reduced sentence.

During legal procedures, he had access to interpreters, consular notification, and other rights in accordance with the law. — VNS