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, Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Mushin.

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

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

Mr Iluyomade said that 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 the suspects faced the full wrath of the law.

Mr 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 was immediately evacuated to prevent it from reaching 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 exercise 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.

Mr Iluyomade, who also serves as chairman of the Federal Task Force, 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)