On 16/5, Ho Chi Minh City Police's Economic Police Department prosecuted and detained Duong Thi Yen Oanh, 47, Duong Thi Yen Xuan, 56, and Thach Hieu, 47. They face charges of organizing the production and trade of counterfeit goods. This action aligns with the police force's ongoing 45-day campaign to transform localities, as directed by the Director of Ho Chi Minh City Police.

Duong Thi Yen Oanh and Thach Hieu arrested. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

The investigation began when economic police, while patrolling the Cau Kinh street area in Tan Tao ward, Binh Tan district, intercepted Thach Hieu. He was transporting numerous cartons bearing the Ajinomoto brand, which raised suspicion. Upon inspection, authorities found the goods lacked invoices and origin documents. Thach Hieu admitted the items were counterfeit and infringed on intellectual property rights, leading to his apprehension.

During the subsequent search, authorities seized 305 finished packages of fake Ajinomoto brand MSG. They also confiscated over 23,000 fake packages of various types, approximately 70 kg of raw MSG material, and numerous production tools. These included electronic scales, heat sealing machines, and equipment for decanting and packaging, along with related documents.

Investigators identified Oanh as the mastermind behind the operation. She organized the purchase and sale of fake Ajinomoto brand packaging, supplying it to Thach Hieu for the production of counterfeit MSG. Xuan assisted the scheme by concealing, delivering, and receiving packaging, and by collecting profits from the sale of the fake goods.

Evidence seized by police. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

Investigation results indicate that since the beginning of the year, the group sourced unregulated MSG of unknown origin from the market. They then repackaged it into fake Ajinomoto brand packaging. This illicit operation resulted in over 4 tons of counterfeit MSG being distributed to various stores and grocery shops across Ho Chi Minh City.

The investigative agency emphasized that producing and trading counterfeit food additives infringes on the intellectual property rights of businesses. More critically, it poses a serious risk to consumer health, distorts the legitimate business environment, and disrupts economic management order.

Quoc Thang