The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks factory at No. 25 Omenazu Street, Aba, Abia State.
The agency says the equipment, materials and facility components are worth more than ₦500 million.
In a statement on X, NAFDAC said its officials acted on credible intelligence.
They found the facility operating in unhygienic conditions. The suspected operator fled when the team arrived, leaving behind a vehicle loaded with counterfeit packaging bearing the names “Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky” and “Scottish Hills Whisky”, empty bottles, and a drum holding about 200 litres of liquid.
A search of the premises turned up counterfeit packaging, bottle caps, sealing machines, cartons, and tanks of liquid mixtures.
The officials also found dirty sieves and drums of ethanol, including tree bark soaked in ethanol, which are believed to have been used in production.
The raid follows a string of recent enforcement actions. NAFDAC reportedly seized suspected counterfeit alcohol worth about ₦2 billion at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex on October 13.
It also raided five shops at Old Court Road Market in Aba for counterfeit packaging materials, and destroyed products worth ₦2.6 billion in Port Harcourt.
Counterfeit spirits are often made with industrial ethanol and unsafe ingredients. They can cause vomiting, dizziness, organ damage and death.
NAFDAC urged the public to report suspected illegal manufacturing to its call centre on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322.
Consumers should buy only NAFDAC Registered drinks from licensed retailers and check packaging carefully.
Administrator and Writer
