Suspect nabbed for running illegal Anambra drink factory
The Anambra State Police Command said it had busted an illegal factory located in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state, producing fake soft drinks.During the operations conducted by the operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, the police uncovered and dismantled several fake drinks branded as “Iyi Obeleagu Juice” and arrested one suspect found at the factory.This was disclosed in a press statement released on Sunday by the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
Ikenga stated that the products were being manufactured without the approval of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and are considered highly harmful to the health of both adults and children.The statement read in part, “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on September 3, 2025, uncovered and dismantled an illegal factory producing toxic fake soft drinks in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area.
“The operatives arrested one Chigozie Okafor, aged 48 years, in connection with the illicit act and recovered several fake juice drinks branded as “Iyi Obeleagu Juice”, which were being manufactured without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. “The products are considered highly harmful to the health of both adults and children.”According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered a thorough investigation to track down other perpetrators and bring them to justice.He said the CP further warned individuals engaging in such criminal activities to desist immediately, as the Command will not relent in safeguarding public health.Similarly, in October 2024 it was reported that officers of the Presidential Task Force Against Economic Sabotage and Oil Vandalism, in partnership with the joint task force of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade, raided an illegal wine manufacturing facility in Onitsha.
The officers, who stormed the Nkpor area in Anambra State, confiscated and sealed off the local manufacturing company, which specialised in the mass production of imitation exotic wines and other drinks in the state.It was gathered that the illegal wine company had, over the years, produced and distributed several types of fake and unapproved wines in large quantities and distributed them for general consumption.
During the raid, seven suspects were also arrested at the facility located on Onowu Street, off Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Onitsha.
