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

The raid, conducted by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, led to the arrest of Blessing Igwe, wife of the suspected mastermind, Ekene Igwe, who is currently on the run.

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.

Babatunji Omoyeni, Deputy Director and Head of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Taskforce for the South-South and South-East regions, said the operation was based on credible intelligence from concerned citizens.

He revealed that the agency had earlier tracked 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 a variety of 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, will 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 fleeing mastermind.

Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director for the South-East Zone, expressed deep concern over the incident. He lamented the potential health hazards posed by the illicit drugs, many of which were reportedly expired for over seven years 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,” Iluyomade said. “NAFDAC is determined to bring lasting solutions to this menace and safeguard public health.”

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