A trader in Lagos has been
arrested with fake Rough Rider condoms and other cosmetic products worth N106,
210, 000. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has
arrested Olisaemeka Osefoh, for importation of counterfeit medicines into
Nigeria including Mycoten cream, Neurogesic ointment and Skineal cream.
According to reports, the
suspect confessed in a statement that he was in partnership with a cartel
based in China, where the products were sourced, before being shipped to
Nigeria.
The Director General of the agency, Dr. Paul Orhii, said,
“Operatives of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate raided a
warehouse located at Progressive Traders Market known for the sales of
jewellery and cosmetic products.
“During the raid at Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway,
Lagos, 158 cartons of Skineal cream, 43 cartons of Funbact- A Cream, 719 cartons
of Mycoten Cream, 131 cartons of Neurogesic ointment, 56 cartons of Rough Rider
Condoms, 20 cartons of Iman Luxury Powder and 205 cartons of Heal Balm were
impounded.”
“I can say for sure that most of the fake drugs we have in the
country now are from China while India comes second. The Indian government is
giving us full cooperation but we are still having talks with China.”
“NAFDAC is working with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria to track
down the criminal company in China that connived with the suspect to ship the
fake medicine into the country.”
The Punch reports:
Orhii said the suspect had also
given investigators information on how the goods were illegally cleared through
Tincan Island Port, Lagos.
Orhii said investigations
revealed that drug counterfeiters no longer specialised only in foreign
products but also in Nigerian-made drugs.
The NAFDAC boss seized the
opportunity to warn landlords who rent out their warehouses to dealers in fake
drugs.
He said henceforth, landlords
would be arrested and charged to court if their properties were used for such
illegal acts.
He advised consumers not to
patronise traders who sold drugs secretly in their shops but should use proper
pharmacies instead.
“Recent discovery has revealed
that drug counterfeiters now operate from markets that deal in other
commodities so as not to draw the attention of law enforcement agencies to
their nefarious activities,” he said.
Credit: Punch
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