Central Highlands Police Crack Down on Fake Coffee Producers

Picture courtesy of Vietnam News

Police in Đắk Lắk province have initiated legal proceedings against a couple accused of producing and trading counterfeit coffee. Over 20 tonnes of the fake product, primarily composed of soybean powder and chemical additives, had been distributed to markets before authorities intervened.

Phan Danh Dương Bảo, 52, from Ninh Xuân Commune in Khánh Hòa Province, has been detained on charges of "producing and trading counterfeit goods" in the form of ground coffee. His wife, Hồ Thụy Bích Dân, 47, has also been charged but is currently under house arrest and restricted from leaving the area.

During an operation on May 22, the provincial economic police intercepted Bảo and his son while delivering 120kg of unlabelled ground coffee in Thành Công Ward, Buôn Ma Thuột City. Unable to provide documentation for the goods, Bảo was taken into custody.

Subsequently, police conducted a raid on the couple’s production facility, uncovering machines and equipment used for roasting and packaging the fraudulent coffee. They also discovered two tonnes of raw materials, including soybeans and chemical agents, along with nearly a tonne of finished coffee in 1,604 bags.

Under interrogation, the couple confessed to using minimal amounts of real coffee beans, substituting the remaining content with roasted soybeans and additives to mimic coffee's colour and aroma. They admitted to producing more than 20 tonnes of counterfeit coffee since 2024, distributing it across several provinces such as Bình Định, Lâm Đồng, and Đắk Lắk.

Police have issued warnings about the health risks associated with consuming the fake coffee, which could potentially irritate the digestive system, harm the liver and kidneys, and increase cancer risks due to prolonged intake of the chemical-laden beverage.

Investigations continue as authorities aim to dismantle the operation and prevent further distribution of the hazardous product. The case highlights ongoing efforts to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of local coffee production.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam News 2025-06-09