Operative of the National Agency for food and drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, have uncovered a major depot where empty bottles of popular alcoholic beverages were being warehoused for the production of fake drinks in Lagos State.
The discovery was made in a residential building located along Meiran Road in the Agbado Oke-Odo axis of the state, where over 100 sacks filled with empty bottles were found neatly stacked.
According to the agency, the building, which ordinarily should be occupied by families, had been converted into a storage facility for illicit activities capable of endangering the lives of unsuspecting Nigerians.
NAFDAC disclosed that its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate carried out the raid following a tip-off from members of the public who noticed suspicious movements in and out of the building.
The operation, led by officers of the directorate, revealed hundreds of empty bottles of different sizes, shapes and brands believed to be destined for counterfeiters operating within Lagos and beyond.
Speaking on the development, an Assistant Director in the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr. Kunle Ojo, said the intelligence report that led to the operation was credible and painstakingly verified before action was taken.
Ojo explained that the bottles recovered included those of well-known local and foreign alcoholic brands, which are usually refilled with dangerous chemical concoctions and sold to unsuspecting consumers.
He noted that such counterfeit drinks are often produced under unhygienic conditions without regard for safety standards, thereby exposing consumers to serious health hazards including organ damage and even death.
The NAFDAC official added that preliminary investigation suggests that the empty bottles were being collected from bars, hotels, event centres and dumpsites by scavengers who then sell them to criminal syndicates.
According to him, the syndicates wash the bottles, refill them with fake alcohol, and re-package them with fake labels and corks that look exactly like the original products, making it difficult for consumers to differentiate.
Ojo said the suspects behind the Meiran Road storage facility are currently on the run, but the agency is already on their trail and will ensure they are brought to book.
He warned that using residential buildings to stockpile materials for counterfeiting is not only illegal but also a serious threat to public health and safety.
The agency stressed that residential areas are not meant for industrial or manufacturing activities, especially those involving hazardous materials, and such practices could lead to fire outbreaks and other dangers.
NAFDAC also expressed concern that the growing menace of counterfeit alcoholic beverages has become a major challenge in Lagos, which is the commercial hub of the country and a major market for such products.
The agency said it has in recent months intensified its surveillance and enforcement operations across Lagos, Ogun and other states to check the activities of counterfeiters.
It would be recalled that NAFDAC has in the past shut down several illegal factories in Lagos and other parts of the country where fake drinks, drugs and food products were being manufactured.
The agency reiterated its commitment to rid the country of fake and substandard regulated products and to protect the health of Nigerians in line with its mandate.
It also called on landlords and residents’ associations to be vigilant and to monitor activities within their neighbourhoods, especially when they notice strange movements or storage of large quantities of bottles.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to be more cautious when purchasing alcoholic beverages and to always buy from reputable supermarkets and stores rather than from roadside sellers and unknown sources.
It further advised consumers to always check for NAFDAC registration numbers, batch numbers, manufacturing and expiry dates, and to report any suspected fake product to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The agency disclosed that its offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are open to receiving complaints and that all information provided by whistleblowers will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
It also warned that anyone found culpable of producing, storing or distributing counterfeit alcoholic drinks will face the full wrath of the law, as the agency will not spare any offender.
According to NAFDAC, the fight against counterfeit products is a collective responsibility that requires the support of all well-meaning Nigerians, including traditional rulers, religious leaders and community heads.
The agency assured that it will continue to embark on public enlightenment campaigns to educate Nigerians on the dangers of consuming fake products and how to identify them.
It added that the 100 sacks of empty bottles recovered from the Meiran Road building have been evacuated to its office for further investigation, while efforts are being made to trace the owners of the facility.
Meanwhile, residents of Agbado Oke-Odo have commended NAFDAC for the swift operation, describing it as a timely intervention that has saved many lives from potential danger.
