Lam Dong Provincial Police Department said on January 29 that investigators had uncovered and caught in the act a major operation suspected of producing counterfeit coffee products in the province.
Earlier, on January 27, Lam Dong police coordinated with Bao Lam Commune police to inspect a truck suspected of transporting counterfeit goods. The vehicle was driven by Truong Thanh Tin, 27, with two other people on board.
During the inspection, officers found 1,056 packs of finished coffee products weighing a total of 528kg, with no invoices or documents proving their origin. Initial assessment showed the products failed to meet quality standards and showed signs of being counterfeit.
Expanding the investigation, police searched a production facility represented by Luong Viet Kiem, located in Bac Gia Nghia Ward, Lam Dong Province. Kiem admitted that the coffee seized from the truck had been produced at this facility.
At the warehouse, authorities discovered an additional 7,958 packs of finished coffee products of various types, weighing more than 4.1 tonnes, along with over 3 tonnes of raw materials and multiple machines and devices used for production.
Preliminary statements indicated that the business owner had instructed employees to mix soybeans with green coffee beans and flavorings to produce finished coffee sold at low prices.
Police determined that all the seized products failed to meet declared quality standards, infringing on consumer rights and damaging the reputation of the local coffee industry.
The Economic Police Division of Lam Dong Province is continuing to consolidate evidence and clarify the responsibilities of individuals and organisations involved for handling in accordance with the law.
