National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has intercepted counterfeiters involved in the production of a variety of beverages including wines, soft drinks and consumables in Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market) Aba, Abia State.
The agency disclosed this yesterday on its website, saying it carried out several weeks of intelligence gathering and collation of data on the activities of these merchants of death.
It said over 1,500 cartons of the fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation while 300 cartons were evacuated to NAFDAC warehouse.
“The street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products is estimated at over N750 million. Ten people were arrested on arrival at the scene of the crime and will be charged to court after thorough investigation,” the agency said.
NAFDAC said it raided over 240 shops turned factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed, adding that the shops turned factories are very filthy, using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles, and cloned packaging materials of other brands.
It explained that some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands ranging from Seaman Schnapps, Hennessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel, and others.
“There is also date revalidation for expired products like Peak milk, Powdered milk, Ketchups, Yoghurt, Coca Cola products, packaging of fake and substandard products, which are later sold to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption.”
Due to the sheer magnitude of illegality going on in the section of the market, NAFDAC said it had to shut the entire market down for thorough regulatory activity until an agreement was reached with all stakeholders in the market and undertaken to sign that the market will never be used for such nefarious activities anymore.
While urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, the agency also tasked consumers to always scrutinize branded drinks to distinguish them from counterfeits before consuming them.
