The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and sealed shops at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos over the alleged production and distribution of fake and adulterated alcoholic drinks and wines.
The agency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the operation followed credible intelligence about the activities of the suspected syndicate.
According to NAFDAC, its operatives discovered unhygienic production rooms where suspects allegedly bought empty bottles of expensive wines, replaced their original labels with counterfeit ones and refilled them with adulterated alcoholic drinks.
Pictures and videos from the operation showed empty bottles, counterfeit labels and mixtures being prepared under insanitary conditions, raising serious concerns about the potential health risks to consumers.
Several suspects were arrested during the raid, while the affected shops were sealed.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic drinks, reaffirming its commitment to protecting public health.
The agency said it conducts daily enforcement operations to rid the Nigerian market of fake and unwholesome regulated products.
It added that its Director-General, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, remained committed to ensuring that Nigerians had access to wholesome food and safe, effective medicines.
NAFDAC warned individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit and adulterated products to desist from such activities or face the full weight of the law.
The agency also vowed to continue pursuing and prosecuting offenders as part of efforts to safeguard public health.
