NSCDC Busts Illegal Juice Factory in Lagos, Arrests Two Women.

By Desmond

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have uncovered an alleged illegal juice production facility in Aradagun, Badagry, Lagos State, leading to the arrest of two women suspected of involvement in the production and distribution of the product.

The operation, which followed intelligence received by the Corps, was carried out after about five days of surveillance around the facility located on Talabi Onilegbale Street, Aradagun, in the Olorunda Local Council Development Area.

According to the NSCDC, the factory was allegedly producing a fruit drink branded “Barkas Juice” under Titi Alubarika Trading Stores Ltd. The two women arrested were reported to be 48 and 50 years old.

The Corps alleged that the factory was unregistered and that the product carried a purportedly fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration number, 01-2166L.

NSCDC spokesperson in Lagos, Oluwaseun Abolurin, said the operation was conducted with strengthened inter-agency support after officers encountered resistance from some youths in the area.

He said cartons of the suspected product were found at the premises, with some already loaded into a truck allegedly awaiting distribution.

Other items reportedly recovered from the facility included production machinery, chemicals, drums and a gas cylinder.

The NSCDC also raised concerns about the sanitary conditions at the facility. Reports from the scene indicated that a well and an industrial storage tank used in the production process were considered unhygienic.

The Corps further alleged that the drink contained high levels of sugar, additives, colourants and dyes. However, the NSCDC did not provide laboratory findings to independently establish those claims at the time of the report.

The Corps said it contacted NAFDAC to verify the registration details on the product and was informed that the product was not registered.

The alleged production facility was subsequently ordered to shut down, while the suspects were taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The development has renewed attention on the need for proper regulation of food and beverage manufacturing in Nigeria, particularly products sold to consumers without clear evidence of regulatory approval.

One of the arrested women, identified as Morenikeji Alawiye, reportedly told The Guardian that the business had been established by her grandmother and had operated for nearly two decades. She acknowledged that the facility had previously been shut down and said she had been attempting to regularise the business.

She also reportedly claimed that the family business initially focused on bottled and sachet water before moving into juice production.

The NSCDC Commandant in Lagos, Adedotun Keshinro, said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law after investigations are concluded.

The Corps has also indicated that it will work with NAFDAC and other relevant agencies on further regulatory and laboratory checks.

For consumers, the incident highlights the importance of checking the registration and labelling of packaged food and drinks before purchase. Regulatory authorities are expected to determine the full status of the product and facility as investigations continue.

Source: The Guardian,  Vanguard,