The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia state, over the production of fake wines and beverages.

 

A statement on Tuesday signed by Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency’s director-general, described the operation as a decisive effort to curb the circulation of substandard and harmful products in Nigeria.

 

Adeyeye said the operation, which was carried out with the military, Department of State Services (DSS), and the police, is a follow-up to a December 2024 raid.

 

She said the operation targeted over 240 shops that had been converted into makeshift factories where fake beverages were being produced under unhygienic conditions.

 

Adeyeye revealed that counterfeiters were using cheaper alternatives such as sugar and starch instead of grapes or fruit to produce adulterated alcoholic beverages, alongside other harmful chemicals unfit for human consumption.

 

Products counterfeited in the market included popular brands such as Seaman Schnapps, Hennessy, Carlo Rossi, Chelsea London Dry Gin, McDowell’s, Black Label, Campari, Smirnoff Ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, and several others.

 

NAFDAC said over 1,500 cartons of fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation, with a street value estimated at N750 million.

“The shops turned factories are very filthy, using water from very unhygienic sources, harmful chemicals, saccharin, colouring, dirty recycled bottles and cloned packaging materials of other brands,” the statement reads.

 

“The adulteration of alcoholic beverages by criminal elements in the country is done by mixing of cheaper sources of sugar and starch besides grapes or fruit, among other harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption.

 

“Some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands ranging from the following: Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, Four Cousins; Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin; Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels; Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff ice; Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel and others.

 

“Over 1500 cartons of the fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation. The street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products in 2023 is estimated at over seven hundred and fifty million naira only. (N750,000,000). The estimated value of products mopped up during the December 15, 2024, operation is five billion naira.

 

“The products being revalidated and mopped up include: Soft and carbonated drinks such as Fanta, Coca Cola; Schweppes, Lacasera, Sprite, Hollandia Yoghurt; Super Commando Energy Drink, Feyrouz and Amstel Malta.

 

“Aside from drinks, notable fake home use beverages such as: Peak Sachet Milk, Cowbell Sachet Milk, Peak Chocolate Drink; Miksi Sachet Milk, Cadbury Chocolate Drink and Ovaltine adulterated versions.

 

“Prior to the evacuation of the products by NAFDAC, they were being produced in the market and neatly packaged and sold to unsuspecting consumers.

 

“NAFDAC wishes to assure the public of her determination to safeguard the health of the nation and enjoins the general public to report any suspected fake and substandard regulated product to the nearest NAFDAC office.”