Business Tycoon Arrested For Importing Fake Còndòms And Drugs Worth N106m

The National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control has arrested a
trader, Olisaemeka Osefoh, for importation of
counterfeit medicines into Nigeria.The suspect
was also arrested with fake Rough Rider
còndòms. PUNCH Metro learnt that the
estimated street value of the goods was N106,
210, 000.Some of the drugs seized include,
Mycoten cream, Neurogesic ointment and
Skineal cream.
In his statement, the suspect said he was in
partnership with a cartel based in China, where
the products were sourced, before being shipped
to Nigeria.
The Director General of the agency, Dr. Paul
Orhii, while parading the suspect, said Osefoh
was arrested after a tip off.
He said the suspect had also given investigators
information on how the goods were illegally
cleared through Tincan Island Port, Lagos.
He said, "Operatives of NAFDAC's Investigation
and Enforcement Directorate raided a
warehouse located at Progressive Traders
Market known for the sales of jewellery and
cosmetic products.
"During the raid at Trade Fair Complex, Badagry
Expressway, Lagos, 158 cartons of Skineal
cream, 43 cartons of Funbact- A Cream, 719
cartons of Mycoten Cream, 131 cartons of
Neurogesic ointment, 56 cartons of Rough Rider
còndòms, 20 cartons of Iman Luxury Powder
and 205 cartons of Heal Balm were impounded."
Orhii said investigations revealed that drug
counterfeiters no longer specialised only in
foreign products but also in Nigerian-made
drugs.
He said most of the fake drugs being imported
were from China while India was second. He
however said the agency was having talks with
the Chinese Embassy on the issue.
He said, "I can say for sure that most of the fake
drugs we have in the country now are from
China while India comes second. The Indian
government is giving us full cooperation but we
are still having talks with China.
"NAFDAC is working with the Chinese Embassy
in Nigeria to track down the criminal company in
China that connived with the suspect to ship the
fake medicine into the country."
The NAFDAC boss seized the opportunity to
warn landlords who rent out their warehouses to
dealers in fake drugs.
He said henceforth, landlords would be arrested
and charged to court if their properties were
used for such illegal acts.
He advised consumers not to patronise traders
who sold drugs secretly in their shops but should
use proper pharmacies instead.
"Recent discovery has revealed that drug
counterfeiters now operate from markets that
deal in other commodities so as not to draw the
attention of law enforcement agencies to their
nefarious activities," he said.