NAFDAC uncovers suspected counterfeit alcohol factory worth over N500 million in Abia

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks production equipment and materials in Aba, Abia State, with an estimated value of over N500 million. This discovery was made following intelligence on illegal alcohol manufacturing activities, leading to an enforcement operation conducted at a location on Omenazu Street.

The operation follows a similar seizure of counterfeit alcohol packaging materials worth over N200 million in the same city just a week prior.

In the raid on the suspected facility, NAFDAC officials found a range of materials that could be used in the production and packaging of counterfeit whisky, including bottle caps, sealing machines, empty bottles, cartons, storage tanks, plastic containers, and 200-litre drums filled with ethanol. Some of these ethanol drums were found to contain tree bark soaked in the substance, raising concerns about the safety of any alcohol potentially produced at this location.

The individual believed to be running the operation managed to flee the scene when the enforcement team arrived, leaving behind the discovered materials.

Further inspection of the premises revealed dirty sieves allegedly used during the production process, which added to the suspicions surrounding the legality of the operations. NAFDAC urged the public to report any suspected illegal manufacturing activities through their official communication channels to aid in ongoing enforcement efforts.

This latest discovery joins a series of enforcement operations targeting counterfeit alcoholic beverages and packaging materials across various commercial centers in Nigeria. Earlier, NAFDAC seized counterfeit packaging materials valued at over N200 million during an operation at five shops in the Old Court Road Market in Aba. These ongoing efforts highlight the extensive scale of suspected counterfeit alcohol production and distribution activities across different parts of the country.

In addition to combating counterfeit products, NAFDAC has intensified its enforcement against alcoholic beverages sold in prohibited packaging formats, such as sachets and small plastic bottles. These measures are part of the agency's broader strategy to address the production, packaging, and distribution of alcoholic beverages that do not meet regulatory standards.