NAFDAC seizes drugs, drinks worth N68.2mn in Enugu

Expired drugs and alcoholic drinks worth about N68.2 million have been intercepted by the National Agency for Foods, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Enugu. John Okwori, head of the agency’s operation in Enugu, said that fake labels of dry gin and other alcoholic drinks were seized at the Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu.

Okwori said that the seized consignments included fake sex enhancing devices, virginal capsules, and blood giving sets, tonnes of fake labels of popular alcoholic and wine drinks, among others. He added that some of the fake and counterfeited consignments were impounded by officials of the agency with the combined efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Okwori, a deputy director in NAFDAC, said that the bulk of the fake and counterfeit consignments originated from China and India.

“We tracked 11 large cartoons of fake Chelsea Dry gin labels which could be used to package gin worth N64.76 million. “The agency got large numbers of fake labels of Amarula drinks also. “Other consignments as well come into the country without approval from NAFDAC. They are fake and injurious to people’s health.

“Most of the owners of the seized consignments had abandoned their injurious goods,’’ he said. Okwori, however, said that the agency’s investigation was still ongoing on the consignments, adding that through investigation, the agency was able to track imported fake virginal capsules from Dubai. “One Ugochukwu Uguegbulu, the importer of the fake virginal capsules, was arrested last week and we had transferred him to our enforcement directorate in Lagos for further regulatory action,’’ he said. The deputy director warned travellers and importers to abide by the agency’s import and export guidelines. “We are on strict directive that the relatively young Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, should not be allowed to be turned into a smuggling channel. According to him, the acting Director of the agency, Yetunde, Oni gave us the marching order.