Packaging materials bearing the names of major alcoholic beverage and consumer product brands have been confiscated by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in a crackdown on suspected counterfeit packaging suppliers in Aba, Abia State.

The agency said its operatives acted on intelligence that led them to five shops at Old Court Road Market, where materials allegedly intended for the production and supply of fake product packaging were discovered. The seized items carry an estimated value exceeding N200 million.

The brands identified on the materials include Jameson, Glenfiddich, Four Cousins, Lord’s Dry Gin, Imperial Blue, Goya Oil, Chelsea, Squadron and Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps. The items comprise labels, corks, packs and other packaging components.

The raid was met with threats and resistance from some traders, according to the agency’s account of the operation. The confrontation reportedly hampered the removal of the materials, while the owners of the five shops could not be found at the time.

NAFDAC placed the premises on hold to protect the items left behind and contacted the market union chairman. He reportedly undertook to help secure the shops and ensure that the owners were identified and brought forward to the agency.