NAFDAC Busts Fake Alcohol Factory in Lagos, Arrests Two Suspects
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested two suspected counterfeiters following the discovery and dismantling of two illegal alcoholic beverage production operations in the Mushin area of Lagos State.
The suspects, identified as Uchenna Ekezie and Peter Okparalgbo, were apprehended during separate enforcement operations carried out by the Agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.
Confirming the arrests to newsmen on Monday, July 20, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, said large quantities of suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages were recovered from shops, storage facilities and an illegal production site.
The recovered products included suspected fake versions of popular local and international brands such as 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, Casmero Whisky, 501 and Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
NAFDAC also confiscated bottles, labels, packaging materials and other equipment allegedly used in the production and packaging of the counterfeit alcoholic beverages.
According to Iluyomade, the suspects reportedly admitted during interrogation to producing the fake alcoholic beverages. He added that all recovered products and production materials had been secured as exhibits, while investigations continue ahead of prosecution.
In a separate enforcement operation, NAFDAC also uncovered more than 450 cartons of expired salad cream stored at two locations within Oke Arin Market in Lagos.
Some of the products had reportedly expired as far back as 2024 and were immediately evacuated to prevent them from being sold to unsuspecting consumers.
The Agency also invited the owner of the products for questioning, while several other shops found stocking unregistered and banned products or operating under poor storage conditions were sealed pending further investigation.
