In a significant breakthrough against counterfeit drugs, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an illegal drug manufacturing facility operating from an uncompleted three-storey building in Azagba Ogwashi, near Issele-Azagba in Delta State.

The raid, conducted by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, resulted in the arrest of Blessing Igwe, wife of the suspected mastermind, Ekene Igwe, who is currently at large.

The building, which also served as a residential apartment, housed a factory on the ground floor where illicit and adulterated drugs, including injectables, were being produced.

Deputy Director and Head of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Task Force for the South-South and South-East regions, Babatunji Omoyeni, stated that the operation was based on credible intelligence from concerned citizens. He revealed that the agency had earlier traced the illicit distribution network to a drug shop at Ogbo-Ogu, Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, where the counterfeit drugs were being sold to unsuspecting members of the public.

Seized items included a large drum containing vials soaked in suspicious liquid substances, rebranded expired drugs, and various dangerous injectables. Among the recovered products were chloroquine phosphate (322mg/5ml), petazine injection (50mg/2ml), and gentamycin injection (280mg/2ml), all bearing fraudulent new labels.

Omoyeni confirmed that the arrested suspect, Blessing Igwe, would be arraigned and prosecuted based on her level of involvement in the illegal operation. The agency has also profiled other occupants of the building and intensified efforts to apprehend the fugitive mastermind.

NAFDAC’s Director for the South-East Zone, Dr Martins Iluyomade, expressed deep concern over the incident, lamenting the potential health hazards posed by the counterfeit drugs, many of which had reportedly expired over seven years ago before being rebranded.

“I feel very sad for our country and the extent some individuals go in pursuit of profit. Only God knows how many lives have been lost to these toxic substances. NAFDAC is determined to bring lasting solutions to this menace and safeguard public health,” Iluyomade said.

He also disclosed plans to confiscate the building used as the illicit factory and issued a warning to drug merchants who had relocated from Onitsha’s Ogbo-Ogu market to remote locations like Asaba, using uncompleted buildings to continue their criminal activities.

NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to dismantling counterfeit drug networks and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, reporting suspicious drug activities to the authorities.