NAFDAC seizes N300m banned sachet alcohol in Lagos market raids
By Aboki Forex —
NAFDAC has seized alcoholic beverages worth about N300 million in enforcement operations across Lagos State, targeting sachet alcohol and drinks packaged in PET bottles below 200 millilitres.
The agency announced the seizures in a statement on its official X account on Sunday. It said several distributors and retailers were arrested during the raids.
Markets raided, traders arrested
Enforcement teams stormed Ile-Epo Market, where distributors and retailers of the prohibited products were apprehended. NAFDAC also raided Ojuwoye Market in Mushin and Oke-Arin Market on Lagos Island.
Officials evacuated several cartons of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200 mL from these locations.
NAFDAC said preliminary investigations showed some traders were deliberately stockpiling the products amid rising demand and increasing prices. Its statement read: "Investigations indicated that some distributors and retailers were hoarding the products amid increased demand and rising prices."
The agency restated that the ban on sachet alcohol and sub-200ml PET-packaged alcoholic beverages remains in force. It warned operators across the supply chain against stocking or distributing the products.
Nationwide mop-up continues
The Lagos operation is part of a nationwide mop-up exercise to pull the affected products out of circulation. NAFDAC said the exercise is being implemented across the six geopolitical zones, in line with the Federal Government's prohibition on the production, importation, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.
The agency said the latest enforcement drive follows the closure of manufacturing facilities found to be in violation of the directive. Enforcement teams have been deployed to markets, motor parks, bars, retail outlets and other distribution channels to identify, confiscate and destroy banned products.
Why the ban exists
The ban was introduced to address concerns about underage drinking, substance abuse and the easy accessibility of alcoholic beverages. NAFDAC has repeatedly warned manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and street vendors to comply.
The agency urged operators still holding stocks of the affected products to surrender them voluntarily. It warned that anyone found producing, transporting, warehousing or selling the prohibited beverages risks regulatory sanctions, product seizure and possible prosecution.
The latest seizures signal that the regulator intends to keep enforcing the ban nationwide and block the re-entry of the products into the market.