NAFDAC Enforces Ban On Sachet Drinks, Arrests Producer Of Fake Alcoholic Drinks In Edo

By Ayodele Oni

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), has commenced a nationwide enforcement operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate bottles below 200 millilitres from circulation.

This is just as the agency arrested a suspected producer of counterfeit alcoholic drinks during an enforcement operation in Benin City, Edo State.

The agency explained that the exercise is in line with the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation, distribution, sale and use of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles smaller than 200ml.

According to NAFDAC in a statement shared on X, the enforcement operation is being carried out across the six geopolitical zones following the closure of non-compliant manufacturing facilities.

The agency said the exercise forms part of its ongoing efforts to protect public health.

“NAFDAC enforcement teams are conducting coordinated operations in markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars, and other distribution channels to identify, seize, and remove banned products from circulation,” the statement read.

The agency warned manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and other stakeholders to immediately surrender any remaining stock of the banned products.

It stressed that “continued possession or sale of the banned products constitutes a violation of the law and may attract seizure, regulatory sanctions, and prosecution.”

NAFDAC explained that the enforcement exercise is aimed at curbing underage drinking, harmful alcohol consumption and substance abuse, particularly among children and young people.

The agency urged members of the public to support the operation by avoiding the purchase of banned alcoholic beverages and reporting anyone producing, distributing or selling them.

It advised members of the public to report offenders to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its dedicated hotline.

Meanwhile, NAFDAC announced the arrest of a suspected producer of counterfeit alcoholic drinks during an enforcement operation in Benin.

The suspect, Daniel Okafor, was apprehended at a facility located in Ewah Road, Off Ikpoba Slope in Benin, where he was allegedly producing different brands of alcoholic beverages.

Mr Mukhtar Babatunde, an Assistant Chief Regulator Officer of NAFDAC, who led the operation explained that the arrest followed intelligence gathering and surveillance that lasted for more than one month.

According to him, the operation was carried out after the agency received information that production had resumed at the facility.

“We have been trailing him for over one month over the adulteration of different brands of alcoholic gin.

“When we received intelligence that he had started production, we came in and met him in the course of production.

“It took a very intelligent effort to gain access to the premises, and when we entered, we found finished products already on the ground, including Lord’s Dry Gin, Majestic Schnapps, packaging materials and labels.

“We also recovered about 12 litres of ethanol, the grade of which cannot be ascertained for now,” he said.

During questioning by officials at the scene, Okafor admitted producing three alcoholic drink brands, including Eagle, Lord and Chelsea.

He also admitted that he was not registered and had no company name.

The suspect told officials that the labels used for the products were sourced from Aba and that he had been producing the drinks for about two years.

He also said the products were transported through waybill to some locations in Onitsha.

The suspect was later handed over to an enforcement team from the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Asaba for further investigation