Police bust counterfeit drug syndicate in Lagos, hand suspects to NAFDAC

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a suspected counterfeit pharmaceutical syndicate operating in Lagos, arresting two suspects allegedly involved in repackaging and trafficking adulterated drugs to different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, saying the breakthrough was recorded by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence.

The police boss identified the suspects as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, who were arrested at a warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution.

According to Fatai, further investigation led detectives to another warehouse where a search warrant was executed, resulting in the recovery of a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina).

He said the exhibits recovered included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole, six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton and other pharmaceutical products, about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated drugs, as well as over 300 empty printed packs and cartons allegedly used for repackaging the products.

The Commissioner said preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for more than two years.

He added that investigations showed the products were being transported to various parts of Nigeria, with substantial quantities destined for Lomé, Togo, suggesting the existence of a transnational distribution network.

Fatai further disclosed that intelligence indicated the suspected adulterated drugs were being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State, adding that efforts had been intensified to locate the production facility and arrest other members of the syndicate.

He also revealed that some individuals had attempted to compromise the investigation by offering inducements to officers handling the case.

“Since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to compromise the investigation by inducing officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits. These attempts were firmly resisted,” he said.

The Commissioner stressed that the Lagos State Police Command remained committed to professionalism and would not allow any pressure or inducement to obstruct justice.

He announced that the suspects, recovered exhibits and the case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and regulatory action.

“Today, I formally hand over the suspects, the recovered exhibits and the case file to the Director of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Martins Iluyomade, for further investigation and necessary regulatory action,” Fatai said.

He commended the officers of the VCRU for the successful intelligence-led operation and urged members of the public to remain vigilant by providing credible information on the activities of counterfeit drug dealers and other criminal elements.