NAFDAC Busts ₦114m Fake Alcohol Syndicate in Lagos, Arrests Suspect

By Adamu Aliyu Aliyu/ABUJA//

The prime suspect, Madu Abuchi Simon, was apprehended while actively falsifying high-end liquor brands including Hennessy, William Lawson, Baileys, Martell, St. Remy, and Jameson. He reportedly attempted to escape when confronted by NAFDAC operatives but was caught on the spot.

The raid, carried out at the suspect’s secret production site, led to the discovery of a range of materials used in the illegal business. Items recovered include expired bottles of Amarula cream liqueur, dozens of empty branded bottles and cartons, brand stickers, stoves, buckets, cotton wool, and a suspicious purple-coloured chemical believed to be used in cleaning and reusing bottles.

According to a statement released via NAFDAC’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter), over 100 cartons of counterfeit alcohol were seized and evacuated from the location. The estimated street value of the confiscated products exceeds ₦114 million.

The agency revealed that the illegal facility has been sealed off, and further investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the operation and any possible networks involved.

“NAFDAC strongly advises the public to buy alcoholic products only from reputable vendors and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the statement read. “The Agency remains committed to protecting public health and ensuring consumer safety.”

This latest bust underscores the growing concern about counterfeit alcohol in the Nigerian market, where unsuspecting consumers risk serious health consequences from contaminated and improperly processed drinks.