NAFDAC destroys over 100 sacks of bottles suspected to be for counterfeit drinks in Lagos

By Adebola Muili

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed over 100 sacks of empty alcoholic beverage bottles discovered at a residential building in Meiran, Lagos State, suspected to have been stockpiled for supply to counterfeiters for the production of fake alcoholic drinks.

The discovery was made on Friday, October 23, at 322B Meiran Road, Agbado Oke Odo, during an operation by the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate following credible intelligence about suspected counterfeiting activities in the area.

Speaking during the operation, an Assistant Director in NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr Kunle Ojo, said the agency acted on intelligence indicating that suspicious activities were taking place in the secluded residential neighbourhood.

Ojo said investigators discovered large quantities of empty bottles stacked in different sections of the premises, with some covered with tarpaulins and others arranged in the open.

According to him, the bottles were of different sizes and brands, including those used for premium alcoholic beverages, raising concerns that they could be supplied to counterfeiters for reuse in packaging fake drinks.

He explained that the suspected practice could enable counterfeiters to package illicit products in bottles resembling those of genuine brands, potentially misleading consumers about the authenticity and safety of the drinks.

Ojo said the agency destroyed more than 100 sacks of the empty bottles to prevent them from being reused in the production and distribution of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

He expressed concern that the suspected activities were taking place within a residential area, describing the use of such premises for activities linked to counterfeiting as unacceptable.

“This is a residential area, and this is not acceptable to government. And we are here to safeguard the health of the nation,” Ojo said.

He said NAFDAC remained committed to protecting public health by identifying and disrupting activities suspected to facilitate the production and distribution of counterfeit products.

The assistant director also called on Nigerians to support the agency’s enforcement efforts by reporting suspicious activities in their communities to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“We are calling on all women in Nigeria, please, when you see something taking place in your area, kindly notify the nearest NAFDAC office so that we can stop this menace,” he said.

He added that timely information from members of the public would help the agency identify suspected counterfeiters and prevent potentially dangerous products from reaching consumers.