Authorities in Dak Lak have launched an extensive investigation into a massive counterfeit fertilizer network, leading to the arrest of four suspects, including the CEOs of two major companies.

These individuals are accused of producing and selling thousands of tons of fake fertilizer, deceiving farmers across multiple provinces.

Uncovering a large-scale fraud operation

On February 4, the Economic Police Department of Dak Lak Province announced that it had officially charged and detained four individuals in connection with a counterfeit fertilizer operation.

The suspects include Bui Minh Chanh (43 years old), CEO of Hoa Ky-Vina International Fertilizer Group in Long An, and his wife, Nguyen Thi Cam My (41 years old), CEO of Nam Duong Fertilizer Trading JSC in Binh Dinh.

Two other individuals, Vo Thi Hong Nhung (33) and Nguyen Duong Thinh (36), both accountants for the companies, were also arrested.

Authorities first discovered suspicious activities in late 2024, when they noticed fake fertilizers being sold in Dak Lak.

A nationwide investigation was launched, leading police to raids in Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Long An, Binh Dinh, and Ho Chi Minh City.

During these operations, authorities seized over 513 tons of counterfeit NPK fertilizer, 4,000 tons of raw materials, and 848 tons of distributed fake products from 32 fertilizer dealers across Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum.

Deception at an industrial scale

 
The fraudulent fertilizer operation was highly organized and widespread. Investigations revealed that Chanh and My had created a network of seven subsidiary companies, allowing them to sell and distribute fake fertilizers nationwide.

The arrested suspects confessed that they had deliberately reduced or removed potassium from their NPK fertilizer formulas to cut costs and maximize profits.

Potassium is a crucial nutrient for crops, and its scarcity in their products meant farmers were unknowingly using ineffective fertilizer, leading to significant agricultural losses.

Serious consequences for farmers and the economy

By removing potassium from their products, Chanh and My managed to undercut competitors and increase their market share, but at the expense of unsuspecting farmers.

The substandard fertilizers not only reduced crop yields but also caused financial losses for farmers who relied on these products for their livelihoods.

The Dak Lak Economic Police Department has confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing, and further arrests could be made.

The authorities are also working closely with agricultural experts to assess the full impact of the fake fertilizers on the environment and farming communities.

Chanh, My, and their associates are facing serious charges of producing and distributing counterfeit goods, which could result in heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences.

Authorities have urged farmers and agricultural businesses to exercise caution when purchasing fertilizers and to report any suspicious products to law enforcement agencies.

Hai Duong