These fake drinks can cause lung and liver cancer.
The Police and officials of two distilling companies on Monday raided the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia and seized some adulterated drinks worth N1.5 million.
The drinks were being produced in the name of the two distilling companies.
The Sales Manager for East 1 Region of Intercontinental Distillers Ltd., Isaac Agbana, said that the adulteration had affected the companies’ sales.
Mr. Agbana said that the drinks were faked in the name of Intercontinental Distillers Ltd. and Grand Oak Ltd.
He said the brands are Seaman’s Schnapps, Chelsea Dry Gin, Squadron Dark Rum, Lords Dry Gin, Calypso, Bacchus, Eagle Majesty Aromatic Schnapps, Veleta Fruit Juice and Dark Sailor.
“A lot of traders in the market are faking ours products, using the genuine names, confusing the traders and consumers.
“The adulteration has affected the two companies’ sales, hence we reported to the Police and other relevant agencies to put an end to it.
“The suspects use blue food colour to cocotte the items for somebody to drink; you can imagine the effect it will have on someone’s body system.
“Apart from HIV, I don’t think there is another sickness that can kill as fast as cancer.
“Cancer can kill faster than HIV and if you take these fake products there are possibilities of having lung and liver cancer,’’ he said.
The Regional Manager East/South-South of Grand Oak Ltd., Elijah Apanishile, called for adequate legislation by the Federal Government to stop adulteration of products.
Mr. Apanishile commended the Police, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and other law enforcement agencies in the fight against fake products.
A senior police officer in Aba Area Police Command, who preferred anonymity, said that five persons were arrested in connection with the incident.
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