The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a counterfeit alcoholic drink production facility valued at over N500m in Aba, Abia State.
The agency reported that the facility, situated at No. 25 Omenazu Street, was running under unhygienic conditions, and during the operation, suspected counterfeit packaging materials, empty bottles, ethanol, and unidentified liquid mixtures were discovered.
NAFDAC made this known in a statement on Monday through its X handle, noting that the suspected operator fled when its officials arrived, leaving behind a vehicle loaded with packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky.
The agency stated that its officials found sealing machines, bottle caps, cartons, tanks holding various liquid mixtures, and dirty sieves believed to have been used in the production process.
“Plastic buckets and 200-litre drums containing ethanol and tree bark immersed in ethanol were also discovered, raising serious concerns about the safety and quality of the products being produced,” the statement read.
NAFDAC also stated that a drum holding about 200 liters of liquid was discovered inside the abandoned vehicle, together with empty bottles and other packaging materials suspected to be counterfeit.
It put the value of the equipment, materials, and other components retrieved from the facility at more than N500m.
The find has sparked worries about the possible health risks linked to alcoholic drinks allegedly made in unhygienic conditions and without verified quality standards.
The agency called on members of the public to supply credible information about suspected illegal manufacturing activities to aid its enforcement efforts.
“NAFDAC urges members of the public to provide credible information on suspected illegal manufacturing activities,” the statement added.
The agency listed its call centre numbers, 0800-1-623322 and 0700-1-623322, along with its email address, reforms@nafdac.gov.ng, for reporting suspected illegal operations.
NAFDAC did not say whether any arrests had been made in connection with the discovery.
