The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed that the agency intercepted counterfeiters engaged in the production of various fake beverages, including wines, soft drinks, and other products in the Eziukwu market in Aba, Abia state.
Prof. Adeyeye conveyed this information at a virtual media parley in Abuja on Monday, disclosing that the street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products is estimated at over N750,000,000.
She detailed that the activity was executed in collaboration with other security agencies following an intelligent tip-off.
Adeyeye outlined some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters, noting the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products.
This included different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands, ranging from Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, 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, among others."
“There is also date revalidation for expired products like peak milk, powdered milk, ketchup, yoghurt, coca-cola products, and packaging of fake and substandard products, which are later sold to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption.
“Because of the extensive operation, the agency raided over 240 shops- turned factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed.
“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.
“The adulteration of alcoholic beverages by criminal elements in the country is done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and starch besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption,” she stated.
She noted that over 1,500 cartons of fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation, while 300 hundred cartons were evacuated to the NAFDAC warehouse.
“The street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products is estimated at over N750,000,000. Ten people were arrested on arrival at the scene of the crime and will be charged in court after a thorough investigation..."
