The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an illegal drug manufacturing operation in an uncompleted storey building located in Azagba-Ogwash, within the Delta State Capital Territory.
The building, owned by the prime suspect, Ekene Igwe, was being used both as a residence and a makeshift drug factory situated on the ground floor. The facility was raided by NAFDAC officials, leading to the arrest of Blessing Igwe, the wife of the suspect, who is currently on the run.
Babatunji Omoyeni, Deputy Director of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Unit for the South South/South East regions, confirmed the development during a press briefing on Tuesday. He revealed that the agency had earlier tracked down a drug shop linked to the suspect at the Bridge Head drug market in Onitsha, where illicit drugs were allegedly being manufactured and sold to unsuspecting customers.
“The agency successfully raided the illegal facility and arrested the wife of the suspect, who will be charged in court for her involvement in the production and distribution of fake and expired drugs,” Omoyeni said.
NAFDAC Director for the South East Zone, Dr. Martins Iluyomade also commented on the operation, stating that the agency has initiated steps to seize the building used for the unlawful drug activities. He said the facility was involved in not only manufacturing unapproved medications but also in relabelling expired drugs for resale.
The operation is part of NAFDAC’s broader crackdown on counterfeit drug networks across the country, as the agency intensifies efforts to safeguard public health and uphold regulatory standards.
