The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverage production facility at No. 25 Omenazu Street in Aba, Abia State.
Acting on credible intelligence, NAFDAC officials discovered the facility operating under unhygienic conditions.
During the raid, the suspected operator reportedly fled, leaving behind a vehicle loaded with counterfeit packaging materials labeled as Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, as well as empty bottles and a drum containing approximately 200 litres of liquid.
Further inspection of the site revealed suspected fake whisky packaging materials, bottle caps, sealing machines, empty bottles, cartons, tanks with various liquid substances, and dirty sieves allegedly used in the illicit production process.
Officials also discovered 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 alcoholic drinks.
NAFDAC estimated the value of the equipment, materials and other components found at the facility at more than ₦500 million.
The agency did not disclose whether any arrests had been made in connection with the discovery or whether samples of the suspected products had been collected for laboratory analysis.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspected illegal manufacturing activities to support its enforcement efforts.
The agency asked the public to contact its call centre on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322, or send an email to reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.
The discovery comes amid efforts by the regulatory agency to curb the production and distribution of substandard and falsified products in Nigeria.
