The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has seized counterfeit packaging materials worth more than N200m from five shops at Old Court Road Market in Aba, Abia State.
The agency said the shops were raided on Wednesday, October 14, following credible intelligence that they were allegedly producing and supplying fake packaging materials for popular alcoholic drinks and other products.
NAFDAC disclosed this in a video of the operation shared on its social media pages, saying its Investigation and Enforcement operatives recovered counterfeit labels, corks, packs and outer packaging bearing the names of several brands.
The brands included Jameson, Glenfiddich, Four Cousins, Lord’s Dry Gin, Imperial Blue, Goya Oil, Chelsea, Squadron and Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps.
The agency said its operatives faced threats and resistance from traders during the raid, making it difficult to evacuate the seized materials. It added that the owners of the five shops were absent during the operation.
According to NAFDAC, the premises were placed on hold to prevent interference with the remaining items. The agency also invited the market union chairman, who pledged to secure the sealed shops and help identify and produce the owners.
