The officers from an anti-narcotics squad in Hanoi were among 23 people convicted Friday for their roles in the drug ring 10 years ago, Vietnam News reported.

Two women were sentenced to death for leading the ring, the report said.

Their operation attracted thousands of addicts who bought more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of the drug, it said citing court evidence.

Pham Dinh Tieng, the policeman in charge of investigating the case, was jailed for 17 years, Vietnam News said. Tieng had accepted up to 8,000 dollars in bribes, it said.

The other policemen were jailed for at least three years, the report said.

Vietnam, ranked as one of the world's most graft-ridden countries, this year ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

Agence France Presse - September 19, 2009