On 5/8, the An Giang Provincial Police initiated an investigation against the two owners of Tan Gia Minh and Chi Cuong stores. They are being investigated for industrial property infringement and producing and trading counterfeit food.

The two store owners (left) were discovered packaging rice of unknown origin as ST25 rice. Photo: Duong Dong

The investigation began last week when police, working with authorities, inspected the two businesses. Officers discovered employees actively repackaging rice of unknown origin into bags bearing the ST25 brand, widely known as "Ong Cua" rice. ST25 is a specialty rice brand owned by Ho Quang Tri Private Enterprise, protected under intellectual property law. Crucially, neither business possessed authorization documents or any proof of permission to use the protected brand.

Authorities seized over 22 tons of the counterfeit rice, with an estimated value exceeding 440 million VND. Numerous other related exhibits were also confiscated during the operation.

Police continue to gather evidence to clarify the roles of all individuals involved in the counterfeiting scheme.

Ngoc Tai - Duong Dong