The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks factory valued at more than ₦500 million in Aba, Abia State.
The facility, located at No. 25 Omenazu Street, was allegedly operating under unhygienic conditions, with suspected counterfeit packaging materials, empty bottles, ethanol and unidentified liquid mixtures discovered during the operation.
NAFDAC disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official X account on Monday, saying the suspected operator fled when its officials arrived, abandoning a vehicle containing packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky.
According to the agency, its officials recovered sealing machines, bottle caps, cartons, tanks containing various liquid mixtures and dirty sieves suspected to have been used in the production process.
The agency also discovered plastic buckets and 200-litre drums containing ethanol, including containers with tree bark immersed in the substance.
“Plastic buckets and 200-litre drums containing ethanol and tree bark immersed in ethanol were also discovered, raising serious concerns about the safety and quality of the products being produced,” the statement said.
NAFDAC added that a drum containing approximately 200 litres of liquid was found inside the abandoned vehicle, alongside empty bottles and other suspected counterfeit packaging materials.
The agency estimated the value of the recovered equipment, materials and other components at more than ₦500 million.
The discovery has raised concerns about the possible health risks associated with alcoholic beverages allegedly produced under unhygienic conditions and without verified quality standards.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspected illegal manufacturing operations to support its enforcement efforts.
The agency provided the following contacts for reporting suspected activities:
– Call centre: 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322
– Email: reforms@nafdac.gov.ng
NAFDAC did not disclose whether any arrests had been made in connection with the discovery.
