Iruoma Okpalaebubu
A 52-year-old man, Anthony Chidi has been arrested for producing and selling fake alcoholic beverages in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The suspect was arrested on Wednesday, by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), inside Mile 3 Market, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
This was in a statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NAFDAC, South-South Zone, Port Harcourt, Mr Cyril Monye, on Wednesday.
Monye disclosed that the suspect was caught inside a dirty shop washing used bottles of various brands of alcoholic beverages which he uses in producing the unwholesome drinks and sells to unsuspecting members of the public.
He mentioned the Items found in the shop including dirty empty bottles of different brands of local and foreign alcoholic beverages, gallons/jars of ethanol,
Others are washed empty bottle, cocks, packaging materials, various brands of already packaged drinks, funnel fitted with filter, among others.
According to Money, the suspect confessed that he started the illicit business about a year ago, having relocated from Aba where he mastered the trade.
Chidi added that he also gets the labels and packaging materials from Aba and buys the used bottles within Port Harcourt.
The NAFDAC Public Relations Officer, said that the shop was evacuated and everything inside moved to NAFDAC office while the suspect would be handed over to the Agency Enforcement and Investigation Directorate for further investigation and prosecution.
Monye recalled that the NAFDAC Director South-South Zone, Mr Chukwuma Oligbu stated that hard times awaits those still involved in the illicit production of NAFDAC regulated products.
Oligbu warned that those still involve in adulterating registered products should give up the illegal practice or be prepared to go to prison.
“The Director South-South Zone, Pharm Chukwuma Oligbu stated that hard times awaits those still involved in the illicit production of NAFDAC regulated products, warning that those still involve in adulterating registered products to give up the illegal practice or be prepared to go to jail”, Monye stated.