The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Monday arrested two suspected fake alcohol merchants in Mushin, Lagos State.
The agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Mushin.
He said the team, during separate operations, uncovered counterfeit alcoholic beverage production in the area.
According to him, the two suspects were arrested after raids on shops, storage facilities, and an illegal production centre in Mushin.
Iluyomade said large quantities of suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages — including several premium local and international brands — were recovered during the enforcement exercise.
He added that the agency also seized bottles, packaging materials, labels, and other equipment allegedly used in the illicit production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages at the illegal facility.
The director said the suspects made confessional statements admitting to the production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.
All recovered products and production materials have been secured as exhibits, while investigations continue to ensure the suspects face the full wrath of the law.
Iluyomade also disclosed that the agency recovered over 450 cartons of expired salad cream stored at two separate locations within Oke Arin market in the state.
He said the salad cream, which expired in 2024, was immediately evacuated to prevent it from reaching consumers.
The NAFDAC director said the owner of the expired products had been invited for questioning, while several shops found stocking unregistered and banned products were sealed.
He said the operation underscored NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians by disrupting the activities of individuals and networks engaged in the production and distribution of unsafe products.
Iluyomade added that the agency had recently secured the conviction of fake drug peddlers and noted that more convictions were expected as several related cases remained pending in court.
Iluyomade, who also serves as Chairman of the Federal Taskforce, reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting public health through continuous surveillance and enforcement activities.
He urged operators dealing in regulated products to fully comply with all NAFDAC regulatory requirements.
