Bath Salts Kingpin Duong Sentenced to 70-Months

The grimy streets of northeastern Pennsylvania witnessed a pivotal moment in the battle against drug trafficking as Treiu Thuy Duong, a 38-year-old former Texas resident now living in Florida, was handed a 70-month prison sentence for distributing up to 10 kilograms of alpha-pvp, commonly known as ‘bath salts.’

Duong’s appeal was swiftly dismissed by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion. Duong had challenged the length of her sentence on appeal.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Duong was part of a wider conspiracy involving Luzerne County and beyond. Her guilty plea admitted to distributing the potent substance throughout 2013-2014, with some of her customers residing in Luzerne County.

In its ruling, the appeals court emphasized that Judge Mannion had carefully considered all relevant factors, including Duong’s personal circumstances, before determining the sentence.

As part of her sentence, Duong forfeited a Texas residence worth around $300,000, coins valued over $260,000, four bank accounts totaling over $200,000, two vehicles, and cash exceeding $7,000. Additionally, she gave up uncashed money orders worth more than $17,000 and two firearms.

This is just one of several convictions in a sprawling bath salts distribution operation; over 12 individuals have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to federal prison for their roles. The investigation was a collaborative effort by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the West Pittston Police. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa handled the prosecution and appeal.