By KEMI AKINTOKUN

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Monday arrested two suspected fake alcohol merchants in Mushin, Lagos State.

The Agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Mushin.

He said that the team, during a separate operation, uncovered counterfeit alcoholic beverage production in the area.

According to him, the two suspects were arrested after raiding shops, storage facilities and an illegal production centre in Mushin.

Iluyomade said the large quantities of suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages, including several premium local and international brands, were recovered during the enforcement exercise conducted by NAFDAC investigation and enforcement officers.

He added that the agency also seized bottles, packaging materials, labels and other equipment allegedly used in the illicit production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages at the illegal facility.

The director said that the suspects made confessional statements admitting to the production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

According to him, all recovered products and production materials had been secured as exhibits, while investigations were ongoing to ensure they faced the full wrath of the law.

Iluyomade also disclosed that the agency recovered over 450 cartons of expired salad cream stored at two separate locations within Oke Arin market in the state.

He said the salad cream had expired in 2024 and were immediately evacuated to prevent them from the consumers.

The NAFDAC director said the owner of the expired products had been invited for questioning while several shops found stocking unregistered and banned products were sealed.

He said the enforcement underscored NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians by disrupting the activities of individuals and networks engaged in the production and distribution of unsafe products.

He added that the agency had recently secured the conviction of fake drug peddlers and noted that more convictions were expected as several related cases remained pending before the courts.

Iluyomade, who doubles as Chairman, Federal Taskforce, reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting public health through continuous surveillance and enforcement activities.

He urged operators dealing in regulated products to fully comply with all NAFDAC regulatory requirements. (NAN)