Metro

VIDEO: NSCDC busts alleged fake fruit juice factory in Lagos, arrests two

Fumilayo Adekunle
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have raided a factory allegedly producing adulterated and counterfeit fruit juice in the Onilegbale area of Alabi Aradagun, Badagry, Lagos State, arresting two women in connection with the operation.

The development was disclosed in a video posted on CityMood Badagry’s X page on Monday, showing NSCDC operatives parading the suspects alongside products and other exhibits recovered from the factory.

An NSCDC operative, whose name was not disclosed, said the products were allegedly distributed not only in markets across Lagos but also to Edo State and other parts of the country.

He said the two suspects, aged between 48 and 50, allegedly engaged boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 16 to assist with the production and packaging of the drinks.

“We are here today at Alabi Aradagun, particularly in Onilegbale, in Badagry area of Lagos State. We are parading successfully suspects and exhibits in the illegal production, sale and distribution of adulterated and fake fruit juice, not only in Lagos markets but up to Edo State and other parts of Nigeria,” the operative said.

“Unfortunately, two female suspects were apprehended, linked to this production, sale and distribution. Their names are withheld, and they are between the ages of 48 and 50. They hire the services of juveniles, underage boys and girls, between the ages of 15 and 16,” he added.

According to the operative, the products, packaged under the brand name Barkas, were found packed in containers at the facility. He alleged that the drinks contained high levels of sugar, water, additives, dyes and colourants.

He added that a search of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration portal did not return any record for the products, suggesting that they were either unregistered or that their registration had expired.

“A glimpse on the NAFDAC portal to check the validity of these products, what we saw there is that the products cannot be found,” he said.

One of the suspects, whose identity was withheld, told the operatives that the factory was established by her grandmother and had previously been registered before it was shut down following unspecified challenges.

“This factory was founded by my grandma, and the produce was registered. Then, after some challenges, the factory was shut down,” she said.

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She claimed that the factory did not operate daily but supplied products outside Lagos three or four times a year. She also said the business had been operating for nearly 20 years and that the shop in Lagos belonged to her.

The NSCDC said investigations would continue and that the suspects would be prosecuted before a court with jurisdiction over the matter.

Watch the video here: