The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said its operatives have evacuated five trucks of fake cosmetics products worth over N500 million from an illegal manufacturing base at a Mammy Market located inside a military barrack in Lagos.
NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday.
Iluyomade said the agency acted on a credible tip-off in collaboration with the military.
Iluyomade said several counterfeited cosmetics products were being processed in large volume when the team busted the location.
He, however, withheld the name of the location due to ongoing investigation.
He added that equipment, mixed chemicals, raw materials and imported packaging materials used to deceive consumers were discovered at the location.
The director said five different illegal production centres were also discovered, while over five trucks of fake products worth over N500 million were evacuated from the base.
Iluyomade said one of the main suspect was apprehended during the raid while investigation was ongoing to identify other individuals involved in the illicit act.
NAFDAC seizes products worth over N110m in raids against drug hawkers.
He said: “These counterfeiters operate inside the mammy market within the barrack where this raid was carried out and had been hiding under the cover of security without being noticed to perpetrate this evil act.
“We must give credit to the military for partnering with NAFDAC during this operation that led to the discovery of five other factory where products are being counterfeited.
“What we discovered during the raid was massive, our team are still on ground at the location to evacuate more fake items.
“The counterfeiters have stepped up their game, they are now producing this fake products in the country with imported packaging material, making it difficult for consumers to identify the original from the fake.”
He reaffirmed NAFDAC Director-General (D-G), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye’s commitment to safeguard the health of the nation.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the agency to rid the country of fake and unwholesome products.
“NAFDAC D-G is intensifying effort with support from the Presidency to go after individuals who are undermining the health and wellbeing of Nigerians through the importation and production of fake and substandard products.
“NAFDAC’s mantra of safeguarding the health of the nation is still high priority and we will continue to make sure that this criminals have no hiding place in the country,” he said.(NAN)