Two men have been arrested after operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control uncovered a suspected facility where expired drinks were allegedly given new labels for resale in Lagos.
The facility, located at Zamfara Plaza, BBA Trade Fair Complex, was allegedly used to relabel expired Bullet Energy Drink, Don Julio tequila and Jameson whiskey, according to a video shared by NAFDAC on its X handle on Tuesday.
In the video, an operative expressed concern over the alleged practice, warning that consumers could unknowingly buy and consume expired drinks.
“This is the energy drink that millions of Nigerians take every day. What are they doing? They are revalidating it here, removing the expired labels,” the operative said as the footage showed packs of Bullet Energy Drink, including those with old and replacement labels.
The video also showed bottles, chemicals and packaging materials scattered around the facility. The operative alleged that the suspects supplied the drinks to bars and nightclubs through their managers.
“They go to bars and various nightclubs; they liaise with the bar managers and sell these to them for counterfeiting,” the operative said.
NAFDAC confirmed the discovery in a post accompanying the video, stating that two suspects had been arrested at the scene. The agency did not disclose their identities as of the time of filing this report.
The discovery comes amid the agency’s enforcement operations against the sale of alcoholic drinks in sachets and small plastic bottles of less than 200ml.
NAFDAC had reported seizing alcoholic beverages estimated to be worth N300m during operations at Ile-Epo Market, Ojuwoye Market in Mushin and Oke-Arin Market on Lagos Island. It also said some distributors and retailers allegedly involved in selling the prohibited products were arrested.
The agency has yet to provide further details on the latest discovery, including the quantity of drinks recovered and the next steps in the investigation.
