NAFDAC Busts Fake Alcohol Factories in Lagos, Seizes ₦350m Counterfeit Drinks

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and dismantled two major illegal production sites involved in the counterfeiting and adulteration of alcoholic beverages in Lagos State, seizing fake drinks valued at about ₦350 million.

Acting on credible intelligence, enforcement operatives carried out coordinated raids at Zamfara Plaza in the Trade Fair Complex and on Lagos Island, where large-scale production and packaging of counterfeit alcoholic beverages were taking place.

At the Trade Fair Complex, officials discovered a fully organised illegal production setup equipped with plastic mixing tanks, improvised filtration systems, empty branded bottles, corks, and packaging materials used to mimic popular alcoholic brands. The facility was allegedly used to manufacture and distribute fake drinks to unsuspecting consumers across Lagos.

A second raid on Lagos Island led to the arrest of a suspect linked to the illegal production and distribution network operating through a retail outlet. Authorities confirmed that all recovered items were seized and evacuated for laboratory analysis and further regulatory action.

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According to NAFDAC, more than 1,800 cartons of counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic products were recovered during the operation, marking one of the agency’s significant recent enforcement breakthroughs in Lagos.

The agency warned that consumption of such adulterated alcoholic beverages poses severe public health risks, including poisoning, liver damage, kidney failure, and potentially death. It stressed that many of the products are produced under unhygienic and unsafe conditions without regulatory approval.

NAFDAC reiterated that the crackdown is part of a sustained nationwide campaign against food and drug counterfeiting, aimed at protecting public health and sanitising the supply chain for consumable goods in Nigeria.

The agency also warned producers, distributors, and retailers involved in such illegal activities to desist immediately, stating that offenders will face prosecution under existing food and drug safety laws.

Members of the public were urged to remain vigilant when purchasing alcoholic beverages, verify product authenticity, and report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its toll-free line 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322).

NAFDAC Busts Fake Alcohol Factories in Lagos, Seizes ₦350m Counterfeit Drinks

Global Condom Prices to Rise by 30% as Iran Conflict Disrupts Supply Chains

Global condom prices are expected to increase by up to 30% following severe disruptions in international supply chains linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, according to Malaysia-based Karex Berhad, the world’s largest condom manufacturer.

The company, which produces over five billion condoms annually for major global brands including Durex and Trojan, said rising production costs and logistics challenges have made a price hike unavoidable.

Karex also supplies condoms to public health systems such as the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and supports United Nations-backed reproductive health programmes, making the disruption a major concern for global health supply chains.

According to Karex Chief Executive Officer Goh Miah Kiat, the Iran conflict has triggered a sharp increase in the cost of key raw materials used in condom production, including synthetic rubber, nitrile, silicone oil, and aluminium foil.

He explained that these materials are closely linked to petrochemical markets, which have been affected by rising global oil prices and instability in key shipping routes disrupted by the conflict.

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“The situation is fragile and costs are rising across the board. We have no choice but to pass these increases on to customers,” he said.

The company also reported major disruptions in global logistics, with shipping times to Europe and the United States now extending to nearly two months—about twice the normal delivery period. This has caused distributors to experience shrinking inventories and has forced many buyers to place bulk advance orders, further tightening global supply.

Karex said demand for condoms has also increased as governments and distributors rush to secure stock amid uncertainty in global freight movements. The company warned that developing countries are particularly vulnerable due to limited reserves and slower replenishment systems, raising concerns about access to essential reproductive health supplies.

Industry analysts say the disruption affecting global condom supply chains reflects a broader impact on medical and protective goods, including surgical gloves and other healthcare products that rely on similar petrochemical inputs.

Despite the challenges, Karex said it currently has sufficient stock to meet short-term demand and is working to expand production capacity to stabilise global supply. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting public health programmes and international aid partners while navigating ongoing market instability.

Global Condom Prices to Rise by 30% as Iran Conflict Disrupts Supply Chains

NAFDAC Launches Special Task Force in Kano to Combat Fake Drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has stepped up its nationwide crackdown on fake drugs in Nigeria with the inauguration of a seven-member task force in Kano to tackle the circulation of counterfeit medicines and unwholesome food products.

Speaking at the inauguration, NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening enforcement and safeguarding public health. Represented by the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Fraden Nantim-Mullah, she said the task force would operate under the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate as a federal operational arm.

Adeyeye warned that the proliferation of counterfeit drugs and substandard food products poses serious health risks, contributes to treatment failure, fuels antimicrobial resistance, and undermines confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Kano’s status as a major commercial hub makes it highly vulnerable to the manufacture, importation, and distribution of falsified products across local and regional markets,” she said, noting that intelligence reports have continued to link the state to major supply routes for illicit pharmaceuticals in West Africa.

The Director-General explained that the task force would focus on intelligence gathering, surveillance, coordinated enforcement operations, seizure of illegal products, arrest and prosecution of offenders, as well as public sensitisation campaigns to curb the spread of fake products.

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The move aligns with NAFDAC’s broader strategy to eliminate open drug markets and tighten regulatory oversight across Nigeria, particularly in high-risk zones. In recent years, the agency has intensified raids on major drug distribution centres and partnered with security agencies to dismantle networks dealing in falsified medicines.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Umar Ibrahim, said the task force was necessary to address the rising incidence of drug abuse in Nigeria and the widespread availability of counterfeit products in the state.

He noted that drug addiction remains a major social challenge, especially among youths—who make up over 70 per cent of Kano’s population—warning that the easy access to fake and unregulated substances continues to worsen the crisis.

“Recent cases of families seeking rehabilitation for their children highlight the urgent need to disrupt the supply chains of fake drugs and unsafe products,” he said.

Ibrahim called for stronger collaboration between federal and state authorities, while cautioning against interference from vested interests that could undermine enforcement efforts.

In his remarks, the task force Chairman, Kamilu Mudi-Salisu, pledged the committee’s commitment to eliminating fake drugs and unsafe food products from circulation.

He stated that the team is empowered to conduct raids, seal premises, seize illegal products, and prosecute offenders in line with existing laws. He also urged the public to support the initiative by reporting suspicious activities within their communities.

The committee comprises key regulatory and health officials, with Mudi-Salisu serving as chairman and Kasim Ibrahim acting as secretary.

Public health experts say the establishment of the Kano task force could significantly disrupt illicit supply chains if effectively implemented, particularly given the state’s strategic role in regional trade. However, they stress that sustained enforcement, community engagement, and stricter border controls will be critical to achieving long-term success.

The latest action underscores NAFDAC’s renewed commitment to protecting consumers and restoring confidence in regulated products across Nigeria, as authorities intensify efforts to curb the spread of counterfeit medicines and safeguard public health.

NAFDAC Launches Special Task Force in Kano to Combat Fake Drugs