The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has apprehended a suspect, Anthony Chidi, in Port Harcourt for engaging in the illegal production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages in highly unsanitary conditions.
The arrest took place at Mile 3 Market in Diobu, where the suspect was operating a filthy shop, according to a statement released by NAFDAC on Wednesday.
NAFDAC officials raided the premises and found Chidi inside the shop, actively washing used bottles from various alcoholic brands.
These bottles were then refilled with unsafe and unwholesome drinks, intended for resale to unsuspecting customers.
The conditions inside the shop were described as extremely unhygienic, posing significant health risks to consumers of the illicit alcohol.
During the raid, NAFDAC discovered a range of materials that had been used in the illegal operation.
These included dirty empty bottles, ethanol, bottle caps, and packaging materials.
These items were all seized by NAFDAC officials, who also took the necessary steps to evacuate the shop for further investigation.
Upon questioning, Chidi admitted to running the illegal alcohol production operation for approximately one year.
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He disclosed that he sourced labels from Aba, while also purchasing used bottles to refill with harmful substances.
His actions directly violated several regulations aimed at protecting public health and ensuring that only safe, regulated alcohol is available in the market.
NAFDAC has emphasized the importance of combating illegal operations that jeopardize public safety.
The agency’s officials have vowed to continue their efforts in addressing the dangers posed by the counterfeit alcohol trade, which has become a growing concern in many parts of the country.
The agency has confiscated all the items found at the scene and is conducting a thorough investigation into the extent of the operation.
NAFDAC has also warned the public to be cautious when purchasing alcoholic beverages, urging consumers to buy only from licensed retailers and to report any suspicious activities related to counterfeit products.
Crediblenewsng.com
