A Ho Chi Minh City court has sentenced 37-year-old Kenyan national Macharia Margaret Nduta to death for drug trafficking after she was caught smuggling over 2 kg of drugs through Tan Son Nhat Airport.
According to court documents, Nduta was hired in July 2023 by a Kenyan man named John to transport a suitcase to Laos, where she was to receive another package in return. She was paid $1,300, and her flight tickets were arranged for her.
Nduta traveled through multiple countries before arriving in Ho Chi Minh City on July 14, 2023. Due to a delayed flight, she was required to go through immigration procedures before continuing her journey to Laos. During a routine inspection, customs officers discovered over 2 kg of drugs concealed inside her suitcase.
During the trial, Nduta claimed she was unaware of the presence of drugs in her luggage. However, prosecutors dismissed her defense, arguing that she must take full responsibility for transporting illegal substances.
The HCMC People’s Court delivered a death sentence, citing Vietnam’s strict anti-drug laws, which impose severe penalties for drug-related crimes.
