Patience Ogbo/
Four men led by a secondary school certificate holder were paraded by the police today in Lagos after officers uncovered a fake drugs manufacturing plant housed in two buildings at Ikotun area of the state, where they have been producing for four years.
The suspects were paraded by the police spokesman, Ag.DCP Jimoh Moshood, who revealed that they were busted by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
According to the police, the illegal factory was uncovered at 2, Okunnenye Street, Ikotun Egbe Area of Lagos.
Moshood said that policemen recovered cartons of different fake drugs, large quantities of unprocessed chemical substances used in manufacturing drugs, several machines fabricated for processing, manufacturing and packaging of fake drugs, forged pharmaceutical papers, plastic buckets of different types suspected to be fake drugs.
The arrested suspects were identified as Emeka Madu (A.k.A. Cabara) 47; who was described as the owner of the multi-million naira factory; Eze Young, Chijioke Umunna and Kingsley Obilo all staff of Cabara.
Moshood said, “The dastardly act may have resulted in several deaths, health complications, and physical disabilities to many. The hideout where the fake drugs were being produced was raided on December 13, 2018, by IRT led by the commander of the unit, DCP Abba Kyari. The IGP Ibrahim Idris has commended IRT and the Lagos State Police Command for their good works in busting illegal manufacturing factories, especially where food, drugs and drinks are produced.
“The IGP has advised members of the public to be wary of where they procure food, drugs and drinks as many of them are fake and might cause outright deaths or physical and mental disability.
“The premises have also been sealed and remained sealed until the determination of the law court.”
Moshood added that members of the public should endeavour to give information to the police on what is happening in their environment in their interest, adding that senior police officers had the right to enter any premises and arrest anyone found producing any product without authorisation.
The principal suspect while speaking with journalists said, “I am 47 years old. I am from Mbaise in Imo State and I am the owner of the factory. I am a school cert holder, I learnt the trade from a friend of mine who is now late. I started my own business about four years ago. Although I am not a pharmacist or a chemist, the medicine is not totally fake as I use quality chemicals to produce it.
“My market is at Onitsha Anambra State, I don’t supply in Lagos. I distribute only in Onitsha and they, in turn, know where they distribute to. I have not really made too much money but at least, I have made little money. I am the owner of the place. Yes, I can take the drug and give to my wife and children because it is not totally fake. I try to be genuine, as instead of 250mg I make it 180mg. That is the only offence I have committed but really the medicine works.”
