The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Rivers State has impounded over 500 cartons of fake/adulterated Chelsea dry gin and Squadron dark rum worth about N3million Naira in Port Harcourt.
The raid which was carried out by NAFDAC in collaboration with Intercontinental Distillers manufacturers of the product and Police detachment from Force Headquarters Port Harcourt covered Creek Road Market, Mile 1 ; Diobu and Mile 3 Markets in the metropolis leading to the arrest of four persons (two males and two females).
Two of them; Jane Ikemefuna and Ndubuisi Amaefula were arrested at Creek Road Market while the remaining two; Mike Akagbuo and Nkeiruka Adieme were nabbed at Mile 1 and Mile 3 Markets respectively for selling the illicit products.
Ms Mercy Ndukwe, a NAFDAC Chief Regulatory Officer who led the operation said that: “NAFDAC received a report from Intercontinental Distillers of the existence of Fake brand of Chelsea dry gin and Squadron dark rum in Port Harcourt which made NAFDAC officials to swing into action and impounded the fake/unwholesome products. The operation also led to the arrest of four persons who were selling the products to unsuspecting members of the public”.
She said the spurious products have been evacuated to NAFDAC office in Federal Secretariat, adding that those arrested will face the full weight of the law while investigations are on-going to track down other members of the syndicate who are on the run.
Ndukwe advised the general public to avoid patronizing questionable sources and always buy their products from company’s representatives and accredited distributors adding that the adulterated products can cause renal failure and other adverse health conditions because NAFDAC did not analyze whatever concoctions that were used in producing the fake products.
The Sales Operation Manager of Intercontinental Distillers Ltd, Mr. Isaac Oladele Agbana attributed the decline in sale of their products in Port Harcourt area to the nefarious activities of illegal producers. He warned the public to beware of cheap Chelsea dry gin and Squadron dark rum products and always patronize genuine/accredited dealers. He disclosed that the company no longer produces small sized Chelsea in glass bottles but in pet/plastic bottles.
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