The Lagos State Police Command has intercepted a truckload of suspected counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspects in connection with the consignment. Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said the operation was carried out by officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit following credible intelligence.
Tijani said the truck was intercepted in the Otto-Ijora area and preliminary investigations indicated that the suspected fake drugs were being transported for distribution in different parts of Nigeria, with some allegedly destined for neighbouring countries. He said the police acted swiftly to prevent the products from reaching the market.
The commissioner said investigations were ongoing to identify the owners and other members of the alleged distribution network. He stressed that counterfeit medicines posed serious risks to public health and assured that the police would continue working with regulatory agencies to tackle their production and circulation.
Dr Martin Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, confirmed the seizure and commended the police for the operation. He said laboratory analysis would determine the authenticity of the products, while urging Nigerians to report suspicious activities involving counterfeit and substandard medicines.
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