By our Reporter
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, have busted an illegal wine manufacturing facility in Onitsha.
The officers, who stormed the Nkpor area in Anambra State, on Friday, sealed off the local manufacturing company and arrested seven suspects at the facility located on Onowu Street, off Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Onitsha.
The unlicensed facility specialises in the mass production of imitation of exotic wines and other drinks in the state, and has over the years produced and distributed several types of fake and unapproved wines in large quantities and distributed for general consumption.
Products of popular brands such as Classic Heaven, Baron Devanis, Dutch Black, Triple MW, and Hennessy, among others, were confiscated during the raid.
Speaking to journalists, the Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Celestine Anere, said the raid was conducted following credible intelligence received by the enforcement officers.
Anere said, “Several packing stores and rooms in the facility were found to be used for producing various alcoholic beverages and wines.
“The task force officers discovered that multiple packing stores and warehouses in the area had been converted into makeshift factories where different brands of alcoholic drinks and wines were being produced, packaged, and distributed in the open market.
“During the raid, over 2,000 cartons of wines and already packaged drinks were seized, along with unhealthy equipment such as mixing tanks, improvised filters, various packaging materials and bags of empty bottles.
“We urged consumers to be vigilant, especially when purchasing alcoholic beverages and wines.”
For all complaints, inquiries and submissions, he directed members of the public to call “any of our hotlines on 07069680112, 08122554530, 08069695398, 08120356133. Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra; Ocha Brigade is here to serve you.”
The state Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force Against Economic Sabotage and Oil Vandalism, Collins Enebeli, stated that the task force is committed to ending all forms of economic sabotage in the country, describing Anambra State as one of the leading states in the production of fake products.
Some of the suspects, when interrogated, claimed they were merely workers in the factory, trying to make ends meet without any knowledge of the factory’s certification.
They pleaded for mercy from the government, pointing out that their boss, one Ikechukwu, supplies over 1,000 cartons of wine every day.