The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made a shocking discovery in Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market, Anambra State.
During an intense crackdown, officials found large quantities of fake and banned pharmaceuticals stashed inside plumbing materials’ shops—an attempt to evade detection.
Fake Drugs Hidden in Plain Sight
The bust follows the recent shutdown of the market due to illegal drug dealings.
Acting on intelligence, NAFDAC officials searched non-drug sections, where they uncovered two trailer loads of unregistered narcotics, banned tramadol, and counterfeit medicines.
Traders had claimed that authorities were unfairly targeting non-drug shops, but the findings proved otherwise. “We followed intelligence reports, and the results speak for themselves,” NAFDAC stated.
Security Risks and Past Attacks
NAFDAC also highlighted the dangers its officials face when conducting such operations.
Three years ago, a similar raid turned violent when officials and police officers were attacked, barely escaping with their lives. To prevent a repeat, security was heightened during the latest enforcement action.
Shocking Scale of the Fake Drug Trade
The ongoing enforcement operation has exposed a counterfeit drug trade worth billions of naira. Many of these illegal drugs were being repackaged and fraudulently revalidated before being sold to unsuspecting consumers.
Since the operation began, at least 10 fully loaded 40-foot trucks filled with fake and substandard drugs have been removed from the market—some falsely labeled with NAFDAC’s approval.
The Role of Security Agencies
NAFDAC credited the National Security Adviser (NSA) for supporting the operation, which has significantly weakened the counterfeit drug network.
As authorities continue their crackdown, Nigerians are urged to remain vigilant and only purchase pharmaceuticals from verified sources to avoid the dangers of fake medications.
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