Three arrested over fake Ajinomoto seasoning ring

Ho Chi Minh City Police said on May 16 that authorities had launched criminal proceedings against Duong Thi Yen Oanh, 47, Duong Thi Yen Xuan, 56, and Thach Hieu, 47, on charges related to the production and sale of counterfeit food additives.

Investigators identified Thach Hieu as the alleged leader of the counterfeit seasoning operation.

The case was uncovered after police stopped Hieu during a patrol on Cau Kinh Street in Tan Tao Ward and found him transporting multiple cardboard boxes bearing the Ajinomoto brand with suspicious signs.

Officers discovered the goods had no invoices or documents proving their origin. During initial questioning, Hieu admitted the products were counterfeit and infringed intellectual property rights.

Expanding the investigation, police accused Duong Thi Yen Oanh of organising the purchase and sale of counterfeit Ajinomoto packaging used to produce the fake seasoning.

Duong Thi Yen Xuan was alleged to have acted as an accomplice by storing and delivering counterfeit packaging and collecting money from sales.

During searches linked to the case, authorities seized 305 finished counterfeit seasoning packets, more than 23,000 counterfeit packages of various types and about 70 kilogrammes of seasoning materials.

Police also confiscated equipment used in the operation, including electronic scales, heat sealing machines and packaging tools, along with related documents.

According to investigators, the group had been purchasing loose monosodium glutamate of unclear origin since around January before repackaging it into counterfeit Ajinomoto branded bags for distribution to shops and grocery stores across Ho Chi Minh City.

Authorities said the suspects had produced and sold more than four tonnes of counterfeit seasoning and earned substantial illegal profits.