The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has arrested two women allegedly linked to the production and distribution of adulterated fruit juice in Badagry.
The suspects, aged 48 and 50, were arrested after operatives of the Corps conducted a five-day surveillance operation before raiding the illegal factory.
The operation, carried out between Saturday, September 19, and the early hours of Sunday, September 20, was supported by an Army formation in the area following attempts by some youths to resist the operation.
According to the NSCDC, the factory was allegedly producing fake “Barkas Juice” by mixing water, artificial flavourings, sweeteners, colourants, dyes and other additives without the use of real fruit.
The 48-year-old lead suspect and alleged owner of the business reportedly told investigators that the business was inherited from her grandmother, who initially produced water before it was expanded into fruit juice production about 20 years ago.
Preliminary investigation by the Corps found the products to contain high levels of sugar, colourants, dyes and other additives. The NSCDC said the products were manufactured in an unhygienic environment and allegedly distributed to markets in Lagos, Benin City and other parts of the country.
The Corps also said the products bore a purportedly fake NAFDAC registration number.
Items recovered from the factory included a truck, cartons of the suspected adulterated fruit juice, production machinery, chemicals, drums and gas cylinders.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, said the suspects would undergo further investigation and be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Keshinro also ordered the immediate shutdown of the unregistered factory to prevent further distribution of the suspected adulterated products.
He added that the Command would collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies in the investigation.
The NSCDC said its community engagement efforts across Lagos had also contributed to intelligence-sharing that led to the operation.
