The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has uncovered a suspected counterfeit drinks production facility at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos State.
The Agency arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the illegal operation.
The suspects, identified as Okafor and John, were arrested during an enforcement operation in a two-storey building where equipment and materials allegedly used to repackage and produce counterfeit alcoholic and energy drinks where discovered.
The raid, according to NAFDAC, followed credible intelligence and surveillance on suspected counterfeiters operating within the Trade Fair International Market.
Speaking during the operation, the Assistant Director of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC, Mr Kunle Ojo, said the agency caught some of the suspects in the act and recovered drums, filters, packaging materials, a heating device and other equipment allegedly used in the illicit production process.
“Gentlemen of the press, as you can see today, when we came, we caught some red-handed producing all kinds of alcoholic drinks,” Ojo said.
“What we have discovered today is a lot, and it’s mind-boggling. We are here to protect the lives of many Nigerians.”
Ojo said the agency intensified its enforcement activities ahead of the festive season, when demand for alcoholic and other beverages typically rises.
He warned that the circulation of counterfeit drinks posed a serious public health concern, urging suspected manufacturers to abandon the illegal trade.
“You are killing Nigerians in order to make money, which is not good,” he said, appealing to those involved to stop the activities.
The NAFDAC official disclosed that the agency would investigate the source of the products, the raw materials used and the individuals allegedly financing or directing the operation.
“Where are they getting the products from? Where are they getting their raw materials? Who is employing them to do this kind of dangerous activity?”
He added that the agency would evacuate the recovered materials and products to its warehouse for further action, including destruction in accordance with applicable procedures.
“Those people that we have arrested today will be dealt with administratively and definitely will face the law,” Ojo said.
Ojo also appealed to Nigerians to support the agency by providing credible information about suspected counterfeit production facilities.
NAFDAC officials said the operation formed part of continuing efforts to remove counterfeit, adulterated and unregistered products from the Nigerian market.
The agency reiterated that consumers could be exposed to serious health risks when drinks were repackaged under the labels of established brands without proper quality controls or verification of their contents.