NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate carried out a raid at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, uncovering a massive counterfeit alcohol operation hidden in makeshift parking stalls. The operation involved over 20 illegal stores where suspects were mixing, re‑validating and stockpiling fake or expired alcoholic beverages for resale, with the total value of seized goods exceeding N2 billion.
**Key facts from the raid**
- The enforcement action was launched after credible intelligence pointed to illicit activity at the venue.
- More than twenty unauthorized stalls were found operating inside the complex.
- Officers discovered the blending of popular alcohol brands, the re‑validation of expired drinks, and the hoarding of prohibited imported products.
- Two individuals were taken into custody during the operation.
- The confiscated items, including counterfeit wines and spirits, were assessed at over N2 billion.
**What did the authorities find?**
The raid revealed that the makeshift stores were engaged in the production of counterfeit alcoholic drinks, a practice that poses serious health risks to consumers. By re‑validating expired beverages, the perpetrators attempted to disguise unsafe products as fit for consumption, thereby endangering public health.
**Who was arrested?**
Two suspects were apprehended on the spot. Their identities have not been released pending further investigation.
**Why is this significant?**
The seizure underscores NAFDAC’s commitment to curbing the circulation of unsafe and counterfeit alcoholic products, protecting consumers from potential health hazards associated with adulterated drinks.
*For more details, see the video posted by NAFDAC on Instagram.*