NAFDAC Uncovers Illegal Outlets, Impounds ₦350m Worth Of Fake Products 

KINGSLEY EBERE 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has uncovered and dismantled two illegal production outlets involved in the counterfeiting and adulteration of alcoholic beverages in Lagos State.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that one of the outlets is located at the Trade Fair Complex, while the other was discovered on Lagos Island.

The agency stated that the operation was carried out after acting on credible intelligence. Enforcement operatives conducted separate raids on facilities at Zamfara Plaza, Trade Fair Complex, and another facility on Lagos Island, recovering over 1,800 cartons of counterfeit products.

The statement read: “Acting on credible intelligence, enforcement operatives raided facilities at Zamfara Plaza, Trade Fair Complex, and Lagos Island, recovering over 1,800 cartons of counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic products valued at approximately ₦350 million.”

“At the Trade Fair Complex, officers discovered makeshift production setups equipped with plastic mixing tanks, improvised filtration systems, empty branded bottles, corks, and packaging materials used to produce and package fake alcoholic drinks.”

The statement added: “A similar operation on Lagos Island led to the arrest of a suspect linked to the illegal production and distribution of counterfeit beverages through a retail outlet. All recovered items were seized and evacuated for further regulatory action.”

NAFDAC warned that the consumption of adulterated alcoholic beverages poses serious health risks, including poisoning, organ damage, and death.

The agency reiterated its commitment to prosecuting offenders and urged the public to purchase alcoholic beverages and other regulated products only from authorised outlets.

It further advised consumers to be vigilant and check for NAFDAC registration numbers, batch numbers, manufacturing and expiry dates, and to avoid products with broken seals or suspicious packaging.

Members of the public were urged to report suspicious production or sales activities to the nearest NAFDAC office or via its toll-free line: 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322).

NAFDAC reaffirmed that it will continue to intensify surveillance and enforcement across markets, warehouses, and distribution channels to rid the country of fake and substandard products that endanger public health.