BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has exposed and shut down two unlawful facilities engaged in the falsification and tampering of alcoholic drinks in Lagos State.
In a statement released on Wednesday via its official X account, the agency said it acted on reliable intelligence to carry out separate enforcement operations at locations within the Trade Fair Complex and Lagos Island, seizing more than 1,800 cartons of fake products.
According to the statement, “Following credible intelligence, enforcement teams carried out raids at Zamfara Plaza in the Trade Fair Complex and on Lagos Island, confiscating over 1,800 cartons of counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic beverages estimated to be worth about ₦350 million.
“At the Trade Fair Complex site, officials uncovered makeshift manufacturing arrangements, including plastic mixing containers, locally assembled filtration equipment, empty branded bottles, bottle caps, and packaging supplies used in producing and packaging imitation alcoholic drinks.”
It further noted, “A related operation on Lagos Island resulted in the arrest of an individual connected to the illegal production and sale of fake drinks through a retail outlet. All seized items have been taken away for further regulatory procedures.”
NAFDAC cautioned that consuming adulterated alcoholic beverages can lead to severe health consequences, such as poisoning, damage to vital organs, and even death.
The agency reaffirmed its resolve to bring those responsible to justice and advised consumers to buy only from approved vendors.
It also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its toll-free number: 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322).
