The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has once again shut down the Aba Cemetery Market in Abia State due to the large-scale production and sale of counterfeit wines and beverages.
Key Details:
- Market Infamous for Counterfeiting: NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye described the market as a notorious hub for Africa’s largest cartel producing fake alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Massive Operation: The raid, conducted in collaboration with the military, State Security Service (SSS), and the Nigeria Police Force, targeted over 240 shops functioning as illegal factories.
- Hazardous Production Process: The counterfeiters used unsanitary water sources, harmful chemicals, and recycled bottles to produce fake brands, including Hennessy, Seaman Schnapps, Gordons, Martell, Campari, and Smirnoff Ice.
- Destruction of Fake Products: Over 1,500 cartons of counterfeit goods, worth an estimated ₦5 billion, were confiscated and destroyed.
- Discovery of Expired Products: NAFDAC uncovered warehouses stocked with expired Hollandia Yoghurt and other adulterated carbonated drinks such as Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, and Amstel Malta.
NAFDAC commended Abia State Governor Alex Otti and local authorities for supporting ‘Operation Clean Up Aba,’ which continues to expose large-scale counterfeiting operations in the region.
