National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized counterfeit packaging materials for popular alcoholic beverages and other products worth more than ₦200 million during a raid in Aba, Abia State.
The agency said the operation was carried out on Wednesday after it received credible intelligence about shops allegedly producing and supplying fake packaging materials for well-known brands.
In a post on its official X account, NAFDAC said its enforcement team raided five shops at Old Court Road Market in Aba.
The agency said the operation uncovered counterfeit labels, corks, packs and outer packaging materials bearing the names of several popular products.
According to NAFDAC, the affected brands include Jameson, Glenfiddich, Four Cousins, Lord’s Dry Gin, Imperial Blue, Goya Oil, Chelsea, Squadron and Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps.
It said the counterfeit packaging materials seized during the operation were estimated to be worth more than ₦200 million.
NAFDAC disclosed that its Investigation and Enforcement operatives faced threats and resistance from some traders while trying to evacuate the recovered items from the market.
The agency also said the owners of the five affected shops were not present during the raid, adding that the premises had been sealed to prevent interference with the remaining exhibits.
NAFDAC said it had invited the Chairman of the Market Union, who promised to help secure the sealed shops and assist the agency in identifying and presenting the shop owners.
The agency has continued to intensify its nationwide crackdown on counterfeit food, drinks, medicines and consumer products to protect public health and stop criminal networks from flooding the market with fake goods.
Counterfeit alcoholic beverages pose serious health risks because consumers cannot verify the source or quality of their contents, while fake packaging also damages the reputation of genuine manufacturers and deceives unsuspecting buyers.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to remain vigilant and buy products only from trusted outlets, warning that the fight against counterfeit products requires the cooperation of traders, market leaders and consumers.
