Couple prosecuted for producing and selling fake fertilizer in Vietnam's Mekong Delta

In Vietnam's Mekong Delta, authorities have initiated legal proceedings against a couple accused of manufacturing and selling counterfeit fertilizer. Nguyễn Văn Thiệt, 34, has been detained, while his wife, Trần Thị Triệu, 33, is prohibited from leaving her residence. Both face charges related to the production and sale of fake fertilizer products.

The investigation began in early February 2026 when police in Cần Thơ intercepted a pickup truck suspected of transporting counterfeit goods. During the inspection, officers discovered and seized approximately 240 kg of mixed fertilizer labeled "Siêu tạo mầm hoa P.K 40-25," 400 kg of organic fertilizer labeled "ORGACA CRF1" (claiming to be Korean salmon organic fertilizer), and 20 liters of liquid fertilizer labeled "DOTA KALI 40."

Further investigations led police to search two locations in Vĩnh Long province: the Ba Con Sư Tử Import-Export Production Co., Ltd., where Triệu is the director and Thiệt is the owner, and Trần Thị Triệu's business household. These searches yielded over 5,800 kg and approximately 1,700 liters of finished fake fertilizer products. The seized items included 33 different types of counterfeit fertilizers, many bearing brand names registered by legitimate companies in Vietnam.

During questioning, Thiệt and Triệu reportedly admitted to previously establishing and managing three other fertilizer-related companies. Thiệt then founded the Ba Con Sư Tử companies, with his wife as director, allegedly to produce and distribute fake fertilizers without the necessary production permits. The couple is accused of using these entities to flood the market with substandard and fraudulent products.