The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cracked down on illicit pharmaceutical products worth millions of Naira in Onitsha, Anambra State. Simultaneously, the regulatory body has uncovered illegal distilleries producing counterfeit alcoholic beverages across Enugu and Imo States.
Speaking at a press conference in Awka, Anambra State capital, Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director for the South-East Zone, revealed the successful raids. The recent clampdown points to NAFDAC’s dedication to combating the distribution and manufacturing of illicit substances in the South-East region.
During the operation in Onitsha, 892 bottles of codeine syrup were seized, alongside significant quantities of Rohypnol and Tramadol, among other controlled substances. Louis Mmadubuatta, Anambra State’s NAFDAC Coordinator, spearheaded the operation, which has been hailed as a triumph for public health and safety.
The confiscated drugs, particularly Rohypnol, notorious for its misuse in criminal activities such as kidnapping and assault, pose a grave public health risk. Iluyomade emphasised the danger of such psychoactive substances being available in open markets or the hands of individuals.
Expanding their operations, NAFDAC operatives uncovered illicit alcoholic beverage production facilities in Enugu and Imo States. In Enugu, a facility operating under the name BEST IJAW in the Igboeze South Local Government Area was discovered producing unapproved dry gin. The site contained eight PVC containers suspected to be filled with ethanol, exposing the illicit nature of their operations.