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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered a suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverage production facility in Aba, Abia State, with equipment and materials found at the premises estimated to be worth over ₦500m.
The facility, located at No. 25 Omenazu Street, was discovered following credible intelligence, according to a post shared by the agency on its official X account on Monday.
NAFDAC said its operatives found the facility operating under unhygienic conditions, while the suspected operator reportedly fled upon their arrival, abandoning a vehicle containing counterfeit packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky.
The post reads, “Acting on credible intelligence, officials discovered the facility operating in unhygienic conditions. The suspected operator reportedly fled upon the team’s arrival, abandoning a vehicle in which counterfeit packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, empty bottles and a drum containing approximately 200 litres of liquid were found.”
A search of the premises reportedly uncovered additional packaging materials, bottle caps, sealing machines, cartons, empty bottles, tanks containing various liquid mixtures, and dirty sieves suspected to have been used in the production process.
The agency also said its operatives recovered plastic buckets and 200-litre drums containing ethanol, as well as tree bark immersed in ethanol, raising concerns about the safety and quality of the suspected counterfeit beverages.
The estimated value of the equipment, materials, and other components found at the facility was over ₦500m.
“The estimated value of the equipment, materials and facility components is over ₦500 million. The Agency urges members of the public to provide credible information on suspected illegal manufacturing activities to the NAFDAC Call Centre on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322, or email reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.”
NAFDAC seized suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks and illegally brewed or repackaged products valued at N2bn at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex on October 13.
The agency also seized suspected fake drinks and packaging materials worth more than N700m in Aba, Abia State, while goods valued at N2.6bn were destroyed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday.
