The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has busted a major illicit drug operation in Umumeje village, Osisioma Ngwa area of Abia State. The investigation uncovered a significant cache of expired and counterfeit drugs being sold illegally in the village.
This information was disclosed in a statement and videos shared on X.com on Friday.
The NAFDAC team discovered that the premises, which consisted of multiple buildings situated close to the bustling Ariaria International Market, served as a central location for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines, thereby making them appear new and viable for sale to unsuspecting customers.
The statement partly read: “Seized items consisted of expired potassium chloride, allergy medications, immune boosters, and cholesterol treatments.
“Machines used to rebrand and alter expiry dates were also discovered on-site.”
NAFDAC further disclosed that a raid conducted at the premises resulted in the apprehension of several individuals believed to be involved in the illicit drug trade. However, the agency noted that the principal suspect behind the operation has managed to evade arrest and remains at large.
“Despite efforts to reach him, he showed no concern for his detained family members,” the statement said.
The agency emphasized that the raid was conducted in cooperation with relevant security agencies, underscoring the federal government’s concerted efforts to combat the distribution and sale of counterfeit drugs throughout the country.
Reaffirming its unwavering dedication to ridding the nation of the scourge of substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products, the NAFDAC reiterated that it would continue to deploy all resources available to enforce drug safety standards and protect public health from the dangers associated with counterfeit drugs.
