Two women have been arrested after the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps uncovered an illegal factory allegedly producing adulterated fruit juice in the Badagry area of Lagos State.
The suspects, aged 48 and 50, were arrested following about five days of surveillance by NSCDC operatives from the Badagry area in collaboration with a Nigerian Army formation.
The factory was allegedly producing a fruit drink branded as “Barkas Juice” and distributing it to markets in Lagos, Benin City, Edo State, and other parts of the country.
According to the NSCDC, preliminary investigations showed that the product contained large quantities of sugar, water, artificial colours, dyes and other additives instead of real fruit.
The Corps also alleged that the juice was produced in an unhygienic environment and marketed with a NAFDAC registration number suspected to be fake.
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During the raid, which took place between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday, operatives recovered a truck, cartons of the suspected fake juice, production equipment, chemicals, drums and a gas cylinder.
The lead suspect reportedly told investigators that the business was initially started by her grandmother as a water production venture before it was later expanded into fruit juice production. She said she inherited the business about 20 years ago.
The Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, ordered the immediate closure of the factory and directed that further investigations be carried out.
He said the suspects would be prosecuted in line with the law, adding that the command would collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and other relevant agencies on the case.
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