The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and destroyed more than 100 sacks of empty alcoholic beverage bottles allegedly stockpiled for use in producing counterfeit drinks in Lagos State.
The bottles were discovered at a residential building at 322B Meiran Road, Agbado-Oke Odo, following intelligence reports about suspicious activities at the location.
NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate carried out the operation, according to the agency, which said the bottles were destroyed to prevent their reuse in the production and packaging of fake alcoholic beverages.
Speaking in a video released by the agency on Friday, an Assistant Director in its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kunle Ojo, said the team acted on credible intelligence about activities at the premises.
Ojo explained that the building was located in a secluded residential area, where large quantities of empty bottles were stored under tarpaulins.
He said the bottles came in different sizes and bore labels associated with various alcoholic beverage brands, including Action Bitter and Royal Circle Premium Whisky.
According to him, the bottles were allegedly being stockpiled for distribution to individuals suspected of producing counterfeit alcoholic drinks.
Ojo condemned the use of residential buildings for such activities, stressing that the agency’s intervention was aimed at protecting public health and preventing counterfeit products from reaching consumers.
He urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods to the nearest NAFDAC office, noting that public cooperation was essential to the fight against counterfeit and substandard products.
The discovery comes amid the agency’s ongoing enforcement efforts against the production and distribution of fake alcoholic beverages, which can pose serious risks to consumers’ health.
NAFDAC did not announce any arrests in connection with the discovery in its report on the operation.
