Categories: NewsWorld News

Five Arrested For Using Battery Chemicals To Dye Waste Coffee Beans

Five people have been arrested by the Vietnamese police have for using battery chemicals to dye waste coffee beans.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Public Security’s online newspaper, Cong An Nhan Dan, said on Tuesday.

The suspects apparently passed the mixture off as black pepper. Vietnam is the world’s largest exporter of black pepper, accounting for half of global trade.

The country is also the world’s largest producer of Robusta coffee, which has a bitter taste and is used mainly in instant coffee.

The five, led by Nguyen Thi Thanh Loan, 43, were arrested on suspicion of violating food safety regulations after they were caught mixing coffee waste with a black, tar-like liquid made from manganese dioxide found in the batteries.

Police seized 40 litres of the liquid, along with more than 21 metric tonnes of dyed coffee waste and over 200 kg of used battery parts from Loan’s home in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong.

Calls to police in the province went unanswered on Tuesday.

The Central Highlands is Vietnam’s largest coffee-producing region. It also produces much of the country’s black pepper.

Loan sold three metric tonnes of the mixture to a black pepper trading firm in the neighbouring province of
Binh Phuoc, the Ministry of Public Security newspaper said.

Police seized nine tonnes of pepper at the firm which had been blended with the battery and coffee mixture, the Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.

The firm had been selling pepper mixed with the battery-laced coffee granules for years, the paper said.

“Whatever purpose they may have, what they are doing is posing threat to people’s health.

“If they mix that substance with coffee or pepper, it would be awful and unacceptable,” said Nguyen Nam Hai, chairman of the Vietnam Pepper Association.

“I don’t understand why they do it. Vietnam accounts for half of the world’s black pepper output and 60 to 65 per cent of global black pepper trade and prices are falling,” said Hai.

“It’s just a small firm and I don’t think this dirty product could end up being exported.”

If found guilty, the five face up to 20 years in prison.

 

Recent Posts

Harsh Economy: Nigerians React As President Tinubu Spotted With Over 60-Vehicle Convoy In Lagos

In a video making waves on social media platforms, Nigerians have reacted with mixed feelings…

9 hours ago

Man Arrested For Insulting President Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, IGP

A popular Nigerian TikToker identified simply as Seaking has been arrested by operatives of the…

15 hours ago

The Longest Prison Sentences Ever Served

Throughout history, some individuals have endured extraordinarily long prison sentences, with their stories reflecting the…

16 hours ago

Families Call For Help As DSS Arrests Lovers In Osun Community

There is growing tension in Modakeke, Osun State, following the alleged arrest of two lovers,…

20 hours ago

Ibadan Stampede: I Regret Not Heeding Spiritual Warning – Woman Who Lost Two Kids

A victim of the stampede that occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, which has claimed…

20 hours ago

Trending Stories In Osun Today

The vibrant Osun State is no stranger to captivating events and headlines that draw attention…

20 hours ago

This website uses cookies.