The Lagos State Police Command has recovered about 300 cartons of suspected counterfeit drugs in the state.

The products included a fake Omeprazole, six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton and other pharmaceutical products, 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra and other drugs.

In addition, the police seized more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

The recovery was made by the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following the arrest of two suspected members of a criminal syndicate involved in the repackaging and interstate trafficking of suspected adulterated and counterfeit pharmaceutical products within Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.

The suspects, identified as 52-year-old Eze Okwudilichukwu and 42-year-old Chukwudi Mba, were arrested at a warehouse located at 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution across the country.

Following their arrest and subsequent interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse.

A search warrant was duly executed at the location, leading to the recovery of a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products.

The truck, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was seized alongside other exhibits, resulting in the recovery of additional counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said investigations revealed that the syndicate had been engaged in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for more than two years.

According to him, further investigations showed that the drugs were being transported to various parts of Nigeria, while substantial quantities were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

The Commissioner added that preliminary investigations suggest the suspected counterfeit drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

He assured that although the production facility has yet to be located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected to the operation, and bring them to justice.

Tijani also disclosed that since the suspects were arrested, there had been several attempts through different channels to compromise the investigation by allegedly offering inducements to officers of the VCRU to secure the release of the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

He said: “Given the nature of this case and its direct relevance to the regulation and enforcement of standards relating to pharmaceutical products, I am formally handing over the suspects, the recovered exhibits and the case file to the Director of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Martins Iluyomade, for further investigation and necessary regulatory action.

“This handover underscores the Lagos State Police Command’s resolve to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice through the appropriate legal and regulatory processes.”