NAFDAC Uncovers Suspected ₦500m Fake Alcohol Factory

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has uncovered a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks production facility in Aba, Abia State, with equipment and materials recovered from the premises estimated to be worth more than ₦500 million.

The agency disclosed the discovery on Monday, October 19, following an intelligence-led operation at No. 25 Omenazu Street. Officials said they found the premises operating in unhygienic conditions and recovered materials suspected of being used to produce and package imitation alcoholic beverages.

According to NAFDAC, the suspected operator fled as its enforcement team arrived, leaving behind a vehicle containing packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky. Empty bottles and a drum holding approximately 200 litres of liquid were also found in the vehicle.

A search of the premises uncovered bottle caps, sealing machines, cartons, additional empty bottles, tanks containing unidentified liquid mixtures and dirty sieves that investigators suspect were used in production. Officials also reported finding plastic buckets and 200-litre drums containing ethanol, including containers in which tree bark had been immersed.

NAFDAC said the materials and equipment recovered raised concerns about the safety and quality of drinks that may have been produced at the site. The agency’s estimate of more than ₦500 million relates to the equipment, materials and components found during the operation; it was not presented as the value of confirmed counterfeit drinks sold to consumers.

The agency has not publicly identified the suspected operator or announced an arrest in connection with the discovery. Nor has it reported laboratory findings establishing the precise composition of the liquids recovered, whether finished beverages were distributed, or whether anyone was harmed by products allegedly made at the premises.

The raid comes amid a series of NAFDAC enforcement operations targeting suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages and the packaging used to imitate established brands. Earlier in October, the regulator reported seizing counterfeit alcohol packaging materials valued at more than ₦200 million from five shops at Aba’s Old Court Road Market. The materials reportedly included labels, corks and outer packaging bearing the names of various beverage brands.

The agency has also reported separate operations against suspected counterfeit and illegally repackaged drinks in other parts of Nigeria. Such investigations focus not only on whether products carry false brand identities but also on whether their ingredients, manufacturing conditions and packaging meet regulatory requirements.

Counterfeit alcoholic drinks can pose health risks when their ingredients or production processes are unknown, contaminated or improperly controlled. However, the presence of ethanol and unidentified mixtures at the Aba premises does not, by itself, establish that the recovered liquids contained a specific toxic substance or that the drinks caused illness. Those questions would require further investigation and appropriate testing.

NAFDAC urged members of the public to report suspected illegal manufacturing activities through its call centre on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322, or by email at reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.

The discovery places renewed attention on the supply chain behind counterfeit beverages, from the production of imitation labels and packaging to the handling of liquids and distribution of finished products. For consumers, the central concern is whether drinks sold under familiar names are genuine and produced to required safety standards; for regulators, the investigation will need to establish who was responsible, what was being manufactured and whether any suspected products entered the market.