By Emmanuel Akinmola
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized counterfeit alcoholic beverages valued at more than N2 billion from over 20 illegal stores at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, exposing the scale of illicit activities involving the counterfeiting of popular drinks and the resale of expired products.
The agency said its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate carried out the operation on Tuesday, October 13, following intelligence on suspected illegal activities concealed within makeshift stores used as parking spaces at the complex. Two suspects were arrested during the raid, while the seized products were evacuated from the premises. <Cite refs={[“turn555071news16″,”turn555071search1”]}/>
According to NAFDAC, its operatives found individuals allegedly blending and counterfeiting popular alcoholic beverage brands, removing or revalidating expiry information on unsafe drinks for resale, and stockpiling banned imported products.
The operation has renewed concerns about the circulation of counterfeit and expired alcoholic beverages in the retail market, where products bearing familiar brand names and packaging may mislead consumers about their authenticity and safety.
NAFDAC had earlier disclosed that some of the suspected activities took place at Zamfara Plaza, within the BBA Trade Fair Complex, where its operatives found beverages awaiting the removal of expiry labels, alongside chemicals, packaging materials, replacement bottle corks and equipment suspected to have been used in the process. <Cite refs={[“turn555071news16″,”turn555071search12”]}/>
The agency also alleged that the revalidated drinks were supplied to bars and nightclubs through arrangements involving some bar managers, raising questions about the distribution channels through which unsafe products could reach unsuspecting consumers.
Counterfeit alcoholic beverages pose public health concerns because consumers may have no reliable way of establishing their ingredients, production conditions or safety. The use of falsified labels and packaging can also make it difficult to distinguish genuine products from adulterated or expired alternatives.
Beyond the immediate health implications, the illegal trade threatens legitimate manufacturers and distributors by exposing compliant businesses to unfair competition from operators who evade product registration, quality-control requirements and other regulatory obligations.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of illegal manufacturing, product revalidation and the sale of unsafe beverages through its official complaints line, 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322).
The agency said the enforcement operation formed part of its efforts to curb the production and distribution of counterfeit and unsafe regulated products in the country. <Cite refs={[“turn555071search1″,”turn555071news3”]}/>
