The Lagos State Police Command has dismantled a suspected pharmaceutical counterfeiting operation that allegedly supplied illicit drugs across Nigeria and parts of West Africa. Two individuals, 52-year-old Eze Okwudilichukwu and 42-year-old Chukwudi Mba, were taken into custody following a tip-off received by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, announced on Monday that the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse on Otto Causeway. Authorities found the pair repackaging adulterated medication intended for wide distribution. A follow-up search at a second location resulted in the seizure of a truckload of fake drugs, including Omeprazole, Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, and Piriton. Police also confiscated over 300 empty packaging cartons used to disguise the counterfeit goods.
According to the police, the syndicate had been operating for over two years, with some shipments reportedly marked for export to Lomé, Togo. Commissioner Fatai noted that while the illicit manufacturing facility is believed to be in Lagos, the investigation is ongoing to locate it. He also mentioned that attempts to bribe the police to drop the case were unsuccessful.
The suspects and the gathered evidence have been turned over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, to handle regulatory proceedings. The Police Command urged citizens to continue reporting criminal activities to aid their enforcement efforts.
