Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade, has uncovered an unauthorized production facility where fake wines and assorted beverages are brewed in Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi local government area of the state.
According to the Managing Director of the Agency, Comrade Celestine Anere, its investigation and enforcement which were based on credible intelligence found plastic mixing tanks, improvised filters, cartons of wines among other beverages, thousands of empty bottles with intact labels, corks, chemicals, bags of sugar, packaging materials and already produced and packaged drinks.
Expressing shock and worry over the health implications of the fake drinks on Ndi Anambra, Comrade Anere revealed that upon investigation, the said products have no NAFDAC certification and assured that samples of the chemicals and other materials will be sent to the Ministry of Health for further analysis after which they will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
He warned other criminal elements in the state to desist forthwith as the governor Chukwuma Soludo’s government has no hiding place for irregularities of any sort.
Confessing to the crime, the owner of the factory, Mr. Tony Ifeanyi from Orlu in Imo state, during an interview, revealed that he has neither the requisite qualification nor license to embark on such type of business, but claimed that the products are on promo in markets and had not commenced sales as he was just keeping them until NAFDAC gives him approval.
He described himself as a creative minded person who is in the production of fruit and natural drinks.
Recovered from the illegal brewery were packed and labeled thousands of bottles of the adulterated wines of different brands, over one thousand empty bottles of wines used by the producer, drums of different sizes and various chemicals used as raw materials and other tools used in the production of the fake wines and beverages.
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