The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has exposed a counterfeit bottled water operation in Port Harcourt, specifically targeting the renowned brand Eva water.
Following a tipoff, NAFDAC officials conducted a raid on a derelict shop situated on Pipeline Road, Eneka.
The establishment disguised as a pool house and served as the hub for producing the fraudulent water.
During the operation, authorities discovered that used Eva plastic bottles were being refilled with contaminated water sourced from a paint bucket.
The water was then filtered through unhygienic rubber funnels covered with cloth.
Counterfeit Eva labels were affixed to the bottles, which were subsequently sealed with fake Eva corks.
One suspect, identified as Chibunna James, was apprehended while in the process of loading the adulterated water for distribution. However, the mastermind behind the operation remains at large.
The confiscated products were promptly evacuated to the NAFDAC office for further investigation and analysis.
Cyril Monye, NAFDAC’s Public Relations Officer for Rivers State, disclosed that the scheme of the perpetrators involved repackaging contaminated water in used Eva bottles, employing makeshift filters made from unsanitary materials, and applying fake labels and corks to deceive consumers.
While efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the ringleader of the syndicate, NAFDAC urges the public to provide any relevant information that could aid in their apprehension.
Furthermore, Monye revealed that thirty packs of the counterfeit products were confiscated and transported to the NAFDAC office in Port Harcourt for thorough investigation. To prevent the circulation of the counterfeit water, the uncorked bottles were emptied and disposed of.
