NAFDAC destroys over 100 sacks of empty alcohol bottles uncovered in Lagos
NAFDAC
Abdullateef Fowewe
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raided a residential building in Agbado Oke-Odo, Lagos, where more than 100 sacks of empty alcoholic beverage bottles were allegedly stockpiled for use in counterfeiting popular drink brands.
The agency in a statement on Friday said its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate acted on intelligence and uncovered the bottles at 322B Meiran Road, Agbado Oke-Odo.
Officials destroyed the containers on site to prevent their reuse in producing and packaging fake alcoholic beverages.
NAFDAC’s statement
In a statement posted on Friday, NAFDAC said, “NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate has uncovered a residential building at 322B Meiran Road, Agbado Oke Odo, Lagos, where empty bottles of assorted alcoholic beverages were stored for suspected use in counterfeiting popular brands.
“Over 100 sacks of empty bottles were discovered and destroyed to prevent their reuse in the production of counterfeit alcoholic drinks.”
An Assistant Director in NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kunle Ojo, said the operation followed credible intelligence about suspicious activity at the property.
Reports indicated that empty bottles may have been washed and supplied to suspected counterfeiters for reuse.
Officials reportedly found bottles of different brands and sizes, including containers associated with Royal Circle Premium Whisky, Action Bitters and Smirnoff.
Crackdown on fake drinks
NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate is the agency’s law-enforcement arm, coordinating enforcement activities across its directorates, zonal offices and state offices nationwide.
The latest operation adds to the agency’s ongoing campaign against illicit alcohol production and distribution.
Public-health advocates and industry stakeholders have renewed calls for stricter penalties and mandatory bottle-recycling controls to make it harder for counterfeiters to obtain reusable packaging.
