Health
NAFDAC raids five shops, seizes fake brand packaging worth ₦200m in Aba
Hannah Johnson
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has seized counterfeit packaging materials worth over ₦200m from five shops at Old Court Road Market in Aba, Abia State.
The agency said the materials, allegedly intended for the production and supply of counterfeit alcoholic beverages and other products, included labels, corks, packs and outer packaging bearing the names of popular brands.
In a statement on Wednesday, NAFDAC said its Investigation and Enforcement operatives raided the shops following credible intelligence about suspected counterfeit packaging operations.
The statement said, “Today, NAFDAC, acting on credible intelligence, raided five shops at Old Court Road Market, Aba, Abia State, suspected of producing and supplying counterfeit packaging materials for popular alcoholic beverages and other products.”
The affected brands included Jameson, Glenfiddich, Four Cousins, Lord’s Dry Gin, Imperial Blue, Goya Oil, Chelsea, Squadron and Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps.
“The operation uncovered counterfeit labels, corks, packs and outer packaging materials bearing the names of several brands, including Jameson, Glenfiddich, Four Cousins, Lord’s Dry Gin, Imperial Blue, Goya Oil, Chelsea, Squadron and Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps. The packaging materials seized were estimated to be worth over ₦200 million.”
According to the agency, its operatives encountered threats and resistance from traders during the operation, making it difficult to evacuate the seized materials.
“During the operation, NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement operatives encountered threats and resistance from traders, making the evacuation of the seized materials challenging. The owners of the five shops were absent, and the premises were placed on hold to prevent interference with the items remaining inside.
The agency added that it had invited the market union chairman, who pledged to ensure the security of the sealed shops and assist in identifying and producing the owners.
“NAFDAC issued an invitation to the Market Union Chairman, who pledged to ensure the security of the sealed premises and assist the Agency in identifying and presenting the shop owners.”
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.
