By Matthew Johnson
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected counterfeit pharmaceutical syndicate involved in the repackaging and interstate trafficking of adulterated drugs, arresting two suspects and recovering hundreds of cartons of suspected fake medicines destined for markets within Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on August 3,2026 during a press briefing at the Command headquarters, saying the breakthrough followed an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit , VCRU.
According to the Fatai, the suspects, identified as 52-year-old Eze Okwudilichukwu and 42-year-old Chukwudi Mba, were arrested at a warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution across the country.
He said investigations led detectives to another warehouse where a search, backed by a duly executed warrant, resulted in the recovery of a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated drugs bearing Katsina registration number KFR 241 XA, alongside several other exhibits.
Among the recovered items were about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole, six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton and other pharmaceutical products, 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra and other drugs, as well as more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons allegedly used for repackaging the products.
Fatai said preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had allegedly been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected counterfeit pharmaceutical products for more than two years.
He added that investigations further showed that the products were being transported to different parts of Nigeria, while substantial quantities were also destined for Lomé, Togo, suggesting the existence of a transnational trafficking network.
The commissioner disclosed that information gathered so far indicates that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State, adding that efforts had been intensified to locate the production facility, dismantle the operation and arrest other members of the syndicate.
He also revealed that following the suspects’ arrest, there had been attempts by unnamed individuals to compromise the investigation by offering inducements to officers of the VCRU to secure the release of the suspects and the recovered exhibits.
According to him, the officers rejected the offers, insisting that the command would not allow any pressure or inducement to obstruct the course of justice.
Fatai said the case, the suspects and all recovered exhibits had been formally handed over to the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and regulatory action.
He noted that the handover was necessary because of the agency’s statutory responsibility for regulating pharmaceutical products and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
The police commissioner commended the officers of the VCRU for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation that led to the dismantling of the suspected criminal network.
He also appealed to residents to remain vigilant to continue providing credible information to security agencies on the activities of counterfeit drug dealers and other criminal elements, assuring that such information remains critical to the fight against crime in the state.