Fake wine and soft drink factories in Aba exposed by NAFDAC

In Eziukwu Market (also known as the Cemetery Market) in Aba, Abia State, counterfeiters have been caught by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

On Monday, the agency made this announcement on its website, stating that it has been collecting information and intelligence on these death merchants’ activities for several weeks.

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300 cartons were transported to a NAFDAC storage facility, while around 1,500 boxes of fake and inferior goods were burnt during the operation.

Over N750 million is thought to be the street worth of the counterfeit goods that were seized and destroyed. Following a comprehensive investigation, ten people were taken into custody as soon as they arrived at the crime site, according to the agency.

The dangerous products were being produced and marketed, according to NAFDAC, which said that it raided over 240 shops that had been converted into factories. It further stated that the shops had become extremely dirty, using water from unclean sources, dangerous chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles, and copycat packaging materials from other brands.

It was clarified that the production of tainted goods, particularly wine, under various brands such as Seaman Schnapps, Hennessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff Ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel, and others was among the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters.

Additionally, there is date revalidation for expired goods such as Peak milk, powdered milk, ketchups, yoghurt, and Coca-Cola products. These goods are packaged as phoney or inferior goods and then marketed to the general population, who then consumes them.

NAFDAC stated that it was forced to close the market entirely for extensive regulatory activity due to the extreme illegality occurring in that particular section of the market. This action was taken until all market stakeholders reached a consensus and agreed to sign a statement promising that the market would no longer be used for such nefarious activities.

The agency advised Nigerians to exercise caution and to always carefully inspect branded drinks to ensure they are not fakes before ingesting them.