NAFDAC Raid ‘Home’ Factories of Fake Drinks in Abuja, Seize N41.2 million Fake Alcohol In Nasarawa

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raided an illegal alcoholic drink factory in Lugbe area of Abuja.

NAFDAC operatives seized several alcoholic beverages during the raid which lasted for hours.  

NAFDAC officials told journalists that counterfeit products were being produced in residential houses in the Lugbe area and fake labels and doctored expiry dates were usually embossed on such products by the unscrupulous elements that produce them.

According to the officials, popular beverages, herbal products and cosmetics were the most rampant faked products.

During the enforcement operation, the agency intensified efforts to curb the circulation of substandard goods, counterfeits, and rebranded products

Mr. Shaba Mohammed, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement OF NAFDAC’s Federal Task Force, who spoke to journalists confirmed the raid.

He told journalists that,  “This is one of many recent operations in the FCT, the counterfeit products were manufactured in a residential apartment, using fake packaging materials, often over weekend

“NAFDAC has sealed the facility and summoned those responsible for further investigation.

“We will remove the counterfeit products from the production site, and our Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate will sweep the market to clear out any remaining items.

Earlier on Monday, NAFDAC officials also raided the Maraba, New Nyanya and Masaka markets in Nasarawa State where counterfeit products, especially alcoholic beverages valued at over N41.2 million were confiscated.

In a statement confirming the Nasarawa raid, the agency in a statement shared on its X handle stated that, “the operation targeted counterfeit and aldultrated wines, spirits, resulting in the seizure of products valued at N41.2 million.

The agency also assured the public that it was already “actively” investigating the importers or manufacturers of the fake products.

 Mr. Tamanuwa Andrew, The Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement for NAFDAC in Kaduna, told journalists that counterfeiters usually hide under the increased demands of consumable products around festive periods to flood the markets with fake products.

“As the festive season approaches, counterfeiters often exploit the increased demand to distribute harmful products, we are ramping up enforcement actions to prevent these activities.

“We advise consumers to carefully check product labels before purchase, authentic products display a valid manufacturer’s address and clear labeling, unlike counterfeits that often use recycled bottles with incomplete or mismatched information,” he said.