NAFDAC arrests importers of fake food products worth N38m

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the arrest of importers/distributors of fake food products following a raid of a warehouse in Apongbon area of Lagos Island, Lagos State, and Boundary Street, in Aba, Abia State.

The raids that held on December 7 and 9, 2022, were part of NAFDAC’s efforts to curb the menace of importation, sale and distribution of counterfeit regulated products and ensuring that only safe, quality and efficacious products are imported, manufactured, distributed, sold and used by the Nigerian populace.

Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Monica Eimunjeze, made the announcement, yesterday, during a media briefing at the agency’s Central Laboratory Complex Auditorium, Oshodi, Lagos.

She said NAFDAC officers raided a warehouse containing potassium bromate tablets and an unregistered imported EDC-2000 bread improver, as well as arrested the importer, Rapoluchukwu Joseph.

“On December 7, 2022, NAFDAC officers raided a warehouse at Apongbon area of Lagos Island in Lagos and found 115 cartons of potassium bromate tablets. The tablets have a street value of N28.75 million.

“Also found in the warehouse is counterfeit EDC bread improver worth N300,000 packed in sachets with a fake NAFDAC registration number 01-4242, ,” she said.

The DG said the agency also conducted an investigation, which led to the confiscation of fake cooking margarine with fake NAFDAC registration number and arrest of the importer, Owerekwe Obinna Michael.

She said: “NAFDAC, on September 9, 2022, commenced investigation, which led its operatives to a long span of operations in Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Abia and Lagos states.

“After rigorous efforts, the operatives traced and arrested one Owerekwe Obinna Michael ‘male’ 46 years of 12 Boundry Street, Aba, Abia State as the importer of the counterfeit product. At the point of his arrest, the suspect, upon sighting the operatives, completely destroyed his mobile phone, so that the evidence will not be traced to him. He also fought the operatives, but was instantly overpowered, arrested and taken to custody.”

Eimunjeze called on the general public to join in the watch for the injurious products anywhere in the country and report same or any suspected unwholesome product to the nearest NAFDAC office.