by Willy Okonji~
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested two suspected counterfeiters after dismantling two illegal alcoholic beverage production operations in the Mushin area of Lagos State.
The suspects, identified as Uchenna Ekezie and Peter Okparaigbo, were apprehended in separate operations carried out by the Agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.
Confirming the arrests to newsmen on Monday, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, Dr Martins Iluyomade, said large quantities of suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages, including premium local and international brands, were recovered from shops, storage facilities and an illegal production site.
“The suspects admitted during interrogation to producing the counterfeit alcoholic beverages,” Iluyomade said, adding that all recovered products and production materials had been secured as exhibits pending further investigations and prosecution.
Among the seized items were bottles bearing the names of top-shelf brands, including Hennessy, William Lawson’s, Don Julio, Martell, Rémy Martin, Flirt Vodka, Lords Gin, Imperial Blue, Gordon’s, Jack Daniel’s, Best Whisky, Eagle Gin, Aman Tequila, The Macallan Scotch Whisky, Casmero Whisky, 501 and Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
NAFDAC operatives also confiscated bottles, labels, packaging materials and other equipment used in the illicit production process.
In a separate enforcement operation, the Agency uncovered more than 450 cartons of expired salad cream stored at two locations within Oke Arin Market, Lagos, some of which had been expired since 2024. The products were immediately evacuated to prevent them from reaching unsuspecting consumers, and the owner has been invited for questioning.
Several other shops found stocking unregistered or banned products, or operating under poor storage conditions, have also been sealed pending further investigations.
