NAFDAC discovers alcohol bottles stockpiled for suspected counterfeit production

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a residential building in Lagos where more than 100 sacks of empty alcoholic beverage bottles were stored for suspected use in producing counterfeit drinks, Channels TV reports.

The bottles were discovered by the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate at 322B Meiran Road, Agbado Oke-Odo, Lagos, following credible intelligence about activities at the location. NAFDAC said the bottles were destroyed to prevent them being reused in the production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

Speaking in a video released by the agency on Friday, Assistant Director Kunle Ojo said the building was in a secluded residential area where different materials, including empty bottles of various sizes and brands, were found stacked and covered with tarpaulins. “On arriving, we saw different kinds of bottles stacked in this place. These are bottles covered with tarpaulins,” he said, adding that the bottles were suspected to have been stockpiled for distribution to counterfeiters.

Ojo condemned the use of residential buildings for such activities, stressing that NAFDAC’s intervention was aimed at protecting public health. “This is a residential area, and this is not acceptable to government. We are here to safeguard the health of the nation,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods to the nearest NAFDAC office, saying such tips would help the agency curb the production and distribution of counterfeit products nationwide.