The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested a 52-year-old man, Anthony Chidi, who specialises in producing fake alcoholic beverages inside 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 uses 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 includes; 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, Pharmacist Chukwuma Oligbu, said the suspect would be handed over to agency’s Enforcement and Investigation Directorate for further investigation and prosecution.
Oligbu stated that hard times await those still involved in the illicit production of NAFDAC-regulated products, warning that those still adulterating registered products must give up the illegal practice or be prepared to go to jail.
