The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has discovered prohibited drugs concealed within plumbing materials shops at the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market in Anambra State, following the market’s recent closure by regulatory authorities.
Officials seized two trailer loads of unregistered narcotics, banned tramadol, and counterfeit drugs hidden in these shops, according to a statement released by the agency on social media. While traders have accused NAFDAC of unfairly targeting non-drug sections, the agency said intelligence led them to search these areas.
The operation required enhanced security measures due to a violent incident three years ago when NAFDAC officials and police officers were attacked during a similar raid. The agency credited the National Security Adviser’s support for enabling the current operation’s success.
NAFDAC revealed that the market serves as a hub for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines, which are then sold to unsuspecting consumers under false claims. Since the enforcement operation began over a week ago, at least 10 fully loaded 40-foot trucks of fake, substandard, and adulterated drugs have been removed from the market, with some products falsely claiming NAFDAC approval.
The total value of illicit drugs discovered during the ongoing operation is estimated to be in the billions of naira.
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