NAFDAC uncovers banned drugs hidden in plumbing material

Eric Patrick

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has discovered banned drugs at the Onitsha Bridgehead drug market in Anambra State. 

The substances were stashed in plumbing material shops.

This was disclosed in a statement and accompanied by photos shared on the agency's X handle on Saturday.

According to the statement, the ongoing exercise has so far led to the discovery of illicit drugs worth billions of naira.

During the exercise, the agency uncovered and seized two trailer loads of unregistered narcotics banned tramadol, and counterfeit drugs concealed within these shops.

The statement read, "In a startling discovery, NAFDAC uncovered prohibited drugs hidden inside plumbing materials shops at the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market.

"Officials seized two trailer loads of unregistered narcotics, banned tramadol, and counterfeit drugs concealed within these shops.

"Traders in the market have accused NAFDAC of targeting non-drug sections during the operation. However, intelligence-led the agency to search these areas, revealing large quantities of illicit pharmaceuticals.

"Heightened security measures were necessary due to a past incident three years ago when NAFDAC officials and police officers were attacked and narrowly escaped death while conducting a similar raid.

"Without the support of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the progress made in this operation would not have been possible.

"The market, comprising multiple buildings and shops, operates as a hub for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines under false claims, before selling to unsuspecting consumers.

"Since the enforcement operation began over a week ago, NAFDAC has removed at least 10 fully loaded 40-foot trucks of fake, substandard, and adulterated drugs from the market, some falsely claiming NAFDAC approval."