The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested two suspected producers of counterfeit alcoholic beverages in Mushin, Lagos State.
NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Mushin.
He said the agency uncovered counterfeit alcoholic beverage production during separate enforcement operations in the area.
According to Iluyomade, the suspects were arrested following raids on shops, storage facilities and an illegal production centre in Mushin.
He said large quantities of suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages, including several premium local and international brands, were recovered during the operation carried out by NAFDAC’s investigation and enforcement officers.
The agency also seized bottles, packaging materials, labels and other equipment allegedly used in the illegal production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.
Iluyomade said the suspects made confessional statements admitting their involvement in the production of the fake products.
He added that all recovered products and production materials had been secured as exhibits, while investigations were ongoing to ensure those responsible were prosecuted.
The director further disclosed that NAFDAC recovered more than 450 cartons of expired salad cream stored at two locations within Oke Arin Market in Lagos.
According to him, the products expired in 2024 and were immediately evacuated to prevent them from reaching consumers.
He said the owner of the expired products had been invited for questioning, while several shops found stocking unregistered and banned products were sealed.
Iluyomade noted that the operation underscored NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health by disrupting the activities of individuals and networks involved in the production and distribution of unsafe products.
He added that the agency had recently secured the conviction of counterfeit drug dealers and expressed optimism that more convictions would follow as several related cases remained before the courts.
Iluyomade, who also serves as Chairman of the Federal Taskforce, reiterated NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health through continuous surveillance and enforcement activities.
He urged operators dealing in regulated products to comply fully with all NAFDAC regulatory requirements.
