On 4/2, Dak Lak provincial police arrested Nguyen Huy Vu, 48, a resident of Buon Ma Thuot ward, on charges of producing and selling counterfeit plant seeds. Vu is the director of Asia Agricultural Investment Co., Ltd.

Nguyen Huy Vu at the time of arrest. *Photo: Ngoc Oanh*

According to the investigation, Asia Agricultural Investment Co., Ltd., headquartered in Cu Chi district, TP HCM, operated a production warehouse in Ea Knuec commune, Dak Lak. However, the company lacked the necessary licenses from authorities for rice seed production and did not have its own raw material cultivation areas.

Despite this, Vu allegedly instructed employees to acquire various types of raw and commercial rice from the market at low prices. This rice was then transported to the warehouse for packaging and labeling with well-known rice seed brands such as: ST24, ST25, DT8, and OM18. The counterfeit seeds were then sold to dealers across several provinces, including Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Quang Ngai, Ca Mau, Khanh Hoa, Dong Nai, and TP HCM. Selling prices ranged from 14,000 VND to 23,000 VND per kilogram, varying by type and brand.

During raids on Vu’s warehouse and associated dealerships, authorities seized 781 bags of counterfeit ST24 and ST25 rice seeds, totaling over 22 tons and valued at nearly 600 million VND. Police also confiscated machinery, seals, labels, and other related evidence.

Warehouse of counterfeit rice seeds discovered by police. *Photo: Ngoc Oanh*

Initial findings indicate that in 2025, Asia Agricultural Investment Co., Ltd. produced and distributed over 200 tons of counterfeit ST24 and ST25 rice seeds to the market. Police assert that the production of these counterfeit rice seeds has severely impacted the rights of agricultural producers and state management efforts in the plant seed sector.

The case is currently under expanded investigation.

Ngoc Oanh