Anambra police have uncovered an illegal drinks factory in Okpoko, arresting a suspect and seizing fake beverages.
Authorities warned the counterfeit products posed serious health risks and vowed a thorough investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command has shut down an illegal drinks factory in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area, where fake soft drinks were being produced.
The operation, carried out by officers of the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu, led to the arrest of a suspect at the site and the seizure of several cartons of counterfeit beverages branded as Iyi Obeleagu Juice.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the products were manufactured without clearance from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), making them dangerous to public health.
According to him, the suspect, identified as 48-year-old Chigozie Okafor, is currently in custody while investigations continue. Ikenga explained that the drinks were highly unsafe for both children and adults, stressing that their distribution posed a serious threat to consumers.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered a comprehensive probe to identify other accomplices. He also warned those involved in similar criminal ventures to desist, adding that the Command remains committed to protecting the lives and wellbeing of residents.
