The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has arrested a 52-year-old man, Anthony Chidi who specialises in producing fake alcoholic beverages in Mile 3 Market, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
LEADERSHIP learnt that Chidi was caught inside a dirty shop washing used bottles of various brands of alcoholic beverages which he used in producing the unwholesome drinks and sells to unsuspecting members of the public.
He confessed to have started the illicit business about a year ago, having relocated from Aba, Abia State, where he mastered the trade, adding that he also gets the labels and packaging materials from Aba while he buys the used bottles within Port Harcourt.
Items found in the shop include dirty empty bottles of different brands of local and foreign alcoholic beverages, gallons/jars of ethanol, washed empty bottle, cocks, packaging materials, various brands of already packaged drinks, funnel fitted with filter, among others.
The suspect’s shop was eventually evacuated and everything inside it were moved to NAFDAC office in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the development, Director South-South Zone of NDLEA, Pharmacist Chukwuma Oligbu, said the suspect will be handed over to the agency’s Enforcement and Investigation Directorate for further investigation and prosecution.
Oligbu stated that hard times awaits those still involved in the illicit production of NAFDAC regulated products, warning those still involved in adulterating registered products to give up the illegal practice or be prepared to go to jail.
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