Vietnam sentences 30 people to death for drug trafficking in single trial
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Vietnamese court has sentenced 30 people to death for trafficking in heroin at the conclusion of a mass trial.
State media reported the 21 men and 9 women were convicted Monday of being part of a ring that smuggled nearly 2 tons of heroin from Laos into Vietnam and then on to China.
The trial lasted 20 days and was held in the northern province of Quang Ninh.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It was not immediately possible to reach court officials or lawyers.
Vietnam has tough drug laws and possessing or trafficking 600 grams (21.16 ounces) of heroin can result in a death sentence.
There are currently nearly 700 people on the death row.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In 2011, the country switched from firing squads to lethal injection on humanitarian grounds.