The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency intercepted counterfeiters involved in the production of a variety of fake beverages including wines, soft drinks, and other products in the Eziukwu market in Aba, Abia state.

Prof Adeyeye who said this at a virtual media parley in Abuja on Monday disclosed that the street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products is estimated at over N750,000,000.

Adeyeye said the activity was carried out with other security agencies following an intelligent tip-off.

She said 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 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, among others.

“There is also date revalidation for expired products like peak milk, powdered milk, ketchup, yoghurt, coca-cola products, and packaging of fake and substandard products, which are later sold to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption.

“Because of the extensive operation, the agency raided over 240 shops- turned factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed.

“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 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,” she stated.

She noted that over 1,500 cartons of fake and substandard products were destroyed during the operation, while 300 hundred cartons were evacuated to the NAFDAC warehouse.

“The street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products is estimated at over N750,000,000. Ten people were arrested on arrival at the scene of the crime and will be charged in court after a thorough investigation.

“Due to the sheer magnitude of illegality going on in the section of the market, NAFDAC had to shut the entire market down for thorough regulatory activity until an agreement was reached with all stakeholders in the market and undertaken signed that the market will never be used for such nefarious activities anymore,” she said.

She warned that drinking adulterated alcohol can cause nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, dizziness, blue-tinged or pale skin, irregular or slow breathing, low body temperature, unconsciousness, or passing out.

“It can also lead to kidney and liver failure or even death. Methanol, a substance which can be used in fake vodka, may cause permanent blindness,” she said.