By Ken Chiwendu
The Anambra State Police Command has raided an illegal factory producing fake soft drinks located in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu,who carried out the operation uncovered and dismantled several fake drinks branded as “Iyi Obeleagu Juice” and arrested one suspect found at the factory.
The Spokesman of the Anambra State command, Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Ikenga stated that the products were being manufactured without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control,NAFDAC and are considered highly harmful to the health of both adults and children.
“Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on September 3, 2025, uncovered and dismantled an illegal factory producing toxic fake soft drinks in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area.
“The operatives arrested one Chigozie Okafor, aged 48 years, in connection with the illicit act and recovered several fake juice drinks branded as “Iyi Obeleagu Juice”, which were being manufactured without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
“The products are considered highly harmful to the health of both adults and children.” The statement read in part.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered a thorough investigation to track down other perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The CP further warned individuals engaging in such criminal activities to desist immediately, as the Command will not relent in safeguarding public health.
Anambra is one of the states in the South East housing scores of illegal factories that produce drugs , beverages and alcoholic drinks detrimental to human health.
NAFDAC routinely conducts raids in urban centres such as Onitsha and Aba in Abia State .
Seven workers were arrested during a raid by a taskforce on an illegal wine factory in Nkpor, Onitsha In October 2024, the taskforce uncovered the production and packaging of imitation wines such as ‘Classic Heaven’, ‘Baron Devanis’, ‘Dutch Black’, ‘Triple MW’, and Hennessy . The facility was sealed by the Taskforce
In June 2024, another illegal factory was discovered in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area, where counterfeit pharmaceuticals including paracetamol and Flagyl were being produced.
Six suspects were arrested, and the premises were also sealed off.
In January,2025, NAFDAC raided Aba cemetery and sealed 250 shops for production and sale of counterfeit and expired drinks.
