Smuggling over 7,000 durian-ripening products

Nguyen Ai Chau, 42, and accomplices accused of smuggling 7,039 durian-ripening products from China and Thailand, valued at over 4.5 billion VND.

On 21/7, Nguyen Ai Chau and Tran Quoc Thai (45, both residing in TP HCM) were prosecuted by the Dak Lak Provincial Police for smuggling.

Durian-ripening solution is a common term for chemical liquids used to dip or spray durian fruits after harvest. These solutions aim to accelerate ripening, enhance the peel's appearance, or extend the fruit's shelf life.

According to the initial investigation, around 9/2024, Chau began sourcing various durian-ripening chemicals from China and Thailand. Her intention was to bring these products to Vietnam for resale and profit. She hired two workers and established a warehouse in Thanh Nhat ward, Dak Lak province, to store the chemicals.

Subsequently, Chau utilized social media to contact numerous individuals, including Thai, to place orders for durian-ripening chemicals from Thailand and China. These products were imported via unofficial channels. Once the chemicals arrived in Dak Lak, Chau instructed her employees to receive them, store them in the warehouse, and distribute them for resale, aiming to generate profit.

On 1/10/2025, the Economic Police Department of Dak Lak Provincial Police conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations across Dak Lak province and TP HCM. The operation resulted in the seizure of 7,039 durian-ripening products, with an estimated value exceeding 4.5 billion VND.

Authorities are currently expanding the investigation into the case.