Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered an alleged illegal fruit juice factory in Badagry, Lagos State, and arrested two women in connection with the operation.
The factory, located in the Aradagun area of Badagry, was allegedly producing and distributing fruit juice branded as “Barkas Juice”.
The two suspects, whose identities were withheld by the Corps, are aged 48 and 50.
According to the NSCDC, the operation followed intelligence gathered over suspected illicit manufacturing activities in the area.
Officers reportedly found quantities of packaged juice at the facility, with some of the products allegedly prepared for distribution to markets in Lagos and other parts of the country, including Edo State.
The Corps said its preliminary investigation indicated that the drinks were allegedly produced with water, sugar, synthetic flavourings, artificial colourants, dyes and other additives.
NSCDC operatives also recovered production equipment, industrial sugar, untreated water, chemicals, dyes and other materials from the premises.
The Corps further alleged that teenagers between the ages of 15 and 16 were involved in production and packaging activities at the facility.
The NSCDC said its officers checked the NAFDAC registration portal but could not locate the products.
Reports also indicated that the products allegedly carried a purportedly fake NAFDAC registration number.
One of the arrested women reportedly told investigators that the business was established by her grandmother and had operated for almost 20 years.
She claimed the factory had previously been registered but was shut down following unspecified challenges.
She also said production was not carried out daily and that the business supplied products outside Lagos several times a year.
The NSCDC said the products and materials recovered from the facility would form part of the ongoing investigation.
The Corps is also working with relevant regulatory agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on laboratory testing and further assessment of the facility.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
The NSCDC said they would be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction after the conclusion of the investigation.
The Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information about suspected illegal production and distribution of consumer products.
The Corps said the operation was part of efforts to protect residents and prevent the circulation of potentially unsafe or illegally manufactured products.
