The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed that the agency intercepted a large-scale counterfeiting operation in Aba, Abia State, where fake beverages, including wines and soft drinks, were being manufactured. The street value of the confiscated and destroyed products was estimated at over N750 million.
Speaking during a virtual media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Adeyeye stated that the operation took place in the Eziukwu market, following intelligence reports. Collaborating with other security agencies, NAFDAC carried out raids in over 240 shops-turned-factories, where adulterated products were being produced under unsanitary conditions.
Among the counterfeit products were popular beverage brands, including Seaman Schnapps, Hennessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Chelsea London Dry Gin, and more. The counterfeiting activities also included the revalidation of expired products such as Peak Milk, powdered milk, ketchup, yogurt, and Coca-Cola products. The fake goods were then sold to unsuspecting consumers.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that the counterfeiters used harmful chemicals, saccharin, recycled bottles, and unhygienic water sources, making the products dangerous for human consumption. Over 1,500 cartons of these products were destroyed, with an additional 300 cartons seized and transported to NAFDAC’s warehouse. Ten suspects were arrested and will face legal action following further investigation.
Due to the magnitude of the illegal activities, NAFDAC temporarily shut down the entire market until agreements were made with stakeholders to prevent further counterfeiting.
Prof. Adeyeye warned that consuming adulterated alcoholic beverages could result in severe health consequences, including nausea, abdominal pain, kidney and liver failure, and even death. She stressed that methanol, sometimes used in fake alcohol, could cause permanent blindness.
NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring the safety of consumers by clamping down on counterfeiters and protecting the integrity of products in the market.
