•Seizes chemicals, others
•Uncovers 5 production sites
By Yahaya Umar
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has bursted a fake cosmetics manufacturing factory in a “Mammy Market” located inside a military barracks in Lagos.
NAFDAC’s Director, Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade,who disclosed this yesterday, that the agency acted on a credible tip-off in collaboration with military personnel.
Iluyomade, told journalists at a briefing on the operation that said several counterfeited cosmetics products were being processed in large volume when the team bursted the location, noting that the name of the place is being withheld due to ongoing investigation.
Equipment, mixed chemicals, raw materials and imported packaging materials used to deceive consumers were discovered at the scene, he said.
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.
According to him, one of the main suspect was apprehended during the raid while investigation was ongoing to identify other individuals involved in the illicit act.
NAN quoted Iluyomade as saying that “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, DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye’s commitment to safeguard the health of the nation.
In this vein, 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.
