Anambra Joint Task Force Cracks Down on 2,000 Cartons of Fake Drinks Seized, 7 Arrested

Fake Beverages Factory Busted in Anambra, 7 Suspects Banned 

OCHA Brigade Managing Director Celestine Anere revealed that acting on credible intelligence, enforcement officers raided the Aliban factory...

Joint task force raids fake drinks factory in Anambra, seizing 2,000 cartons and arresting 7 suspects | Read the full story on the presidential task force's efforts to combat counterfeit production.

A joint operation by the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade and the Presidential Task Force Against Economic Sabotage and Oil Vandalism has successfully dismantled a counterfeit alcoholic drink syndicate in Onitsha, Anambra State.

According to OCHA Brigade Managing Director Celestine Anere, the raid in the commercial city resulted in the arrest of seven suspects and disruption of the illicit production and sales network.

OCHA Brigade Managing Director Celestine Anere revealed that acting on credible intelligence, enforcement officers raided the Aliban factory on Onowu Street, off Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, uncovering 2,000 cartons of counterfeit wines.

The raid yielded various brands of alcoholic drinks and wines, showcasing the scope of the illicit operation. Investigators found that multiple stores and warehouses in the area had been repurposed as makeshift factories for producing the fake beverages, which were then distributed across local markets.

“During the raid, over 2,000 cartons of wines and already packaged drinks were seized along with unhealthy equipment such as a mixing tank, improvised filter and various packaging materials,” he explained.

“Bags of empty bottles were also seized. We have also arrested seven suspects during the raid and they will be prosecuted. The owner is still at large

“I urge Nigerians to be vigilant when purchasing alcoholic beverages and wines.

Collins Enebeli, the state coordinator of the presidential task force against economic sabotage and oil vandalism, has labeled Anambra as a top producer of counterfeit goods. This revelation comes on the heels of a recent bust, where a fake drink factory was uncovered in Onitsha, Anambra State.

During the raid, seven suspects were apprehended, and 2,000 cartons of fake wines were seized. One of the suspects, a woman, pleaded for mercy, claiming she was merely an employee at the factory and unaware of the illicit activities. Her plea highlights the complexity of these operations, where workers may be unwittingly involved in producing counterfeit products.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time a fake drink factory has been busted in Nigeria. Just recently, the Lagos State Police Command raided a similar operation in Agege, arresting four suspects. These incidents underscore the prevalence of counterfeit production in the country, with Anambra being a significant hotspot.

“Scrutinise properly to distinguish them from counterfeits before consuming them.”

Facts:

• Operation: Joint task force of OCHA Brigade and Presidential Task Force
• Objective: Combat counterfeit alcoholic drinks
• Arrests: Seven suspects
• Outcome: Disruption of counterfeit production and sales
• Location: Aliban factory, Onowu Street, off Enugu-Onitsha Expressway
• Discovery: 2,000 cartons of counterfeit wines
• Brands: Various alcoholic drinks and wines
• Production: Stores and warehouses converted into factories
• Distribution: Local markets in Anambra State