NAFDAC Seizes Two Containers of Unregistered, Banned Drugs in Onitsha

In its continued fight against Illicit drugs, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration NAFDAC has seized two trailer loads of unregistered narcotics, banned tramadol, and counterfeit drugs concealed within plumbing material shops at Onitsha Head Bridge drug market.

In a post shared on X on Saturday, NAFDAC revealed that it discovered prohibited drugs hidden inside these shops.

“The ongoing exercise has so far led to the discovery of illicit drugs worth billions of naira.”

It also stated that the market, which comprises multiple buildings and shops, operates as a hub for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines under false claims before selling to unsuspecting consumers.

It mentioned that has removed at least 10 fully loaded 40-foot trucks of fake, substandard, and adulterated drugs from the market, with some falsely claiming that it was approved by NAFDAC.

Meanwhile, traders in the market have accused NAFDAC of targeting non-drug sections during the operation.

In its defence, NAFDAC, through an intelligence-led operation, said it searched those areas and large quantities of illicit pharmaceuticals were recovered.