By Chioma Obinna
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized alcoholic beverages worth about N300 million packaged in sachets and small PET bottles of less than 200 millilitres during enforcement raids on major markets in Lagos State.
The operation, which targeted distributors and retailers of the prohibited products, led to the closure of some outlets and the arrest of some operators at Ile-Epo Market.
NAFDAC officials also raided Ojuwoye Market in Mushin and Oke-Arin Market on Lagos Island, where several cartons of the banned alcoholic beverages were evacuated.
The agency said its investigations indicated that some distributors and retailers were allegedly hoarding the prohibited products amid increased demand and rising prices.
NAFDAC reiterated that the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml remains in force.
“The ban remains in force,” the agency warned, urging distributors, retailers and other operators to desist from selling, stocking or distributing the prohibited products.
The agency said traders found dealing in the affected beverages risked enforcement action and other sanctions.
It also urged operators to remove the prohibited products from their businesses, warning that enforcement operations would continue across Lagos State.
The latest operation is part of NAFDAC’s ongoing nationwide crackdown on the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages prohibited under the existing regulatory restrictions.
The agency urged traders to comply with the ban and cooperate with enforcement officials to avoid sanctions.
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