The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and dismantled two illegal production outlets involved in the counterfeiting and adulteration of alcoholic beverages in Lagos State. This was disclosed following enforcement operations across key commercial hubs in the state.

The raid led to the seizure of counterfeit alcoholic products valued at approximately N350 million, highlighting the scale of illicit activity in the sector. According to the agency, over 1,800 cartons of counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic drinks were recovered during the raids.

NAFDAC stated that the operation was based on credible intelligence, which led its enforcement team to Zamfara Plaza at the Trade Fair Complex and parts of Lagos Island. Officers uncovered makeshift production facilities equipped with plastic mixing tanks, improvised filtration systems, empty branded bottles, corks, and packaging materials used to produce fake alcoholic beverages.

The agency urged consumers to purchase products only from authorised outlets and report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its toll-free line.

The crackdown comes as the illicit alcohol trade remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, with counterfeit products continuing to find their way into the market despite ongoing regulatory efforts. According to a 2024 survey cited by the Spirits and Wines Association of Nigeria, illicit trade accounts for about 40 per cent of the spirits and wines market, meaning roughly two out of every five bottles sold in Nigeria come from unregulated sources.