Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have uncovered and sealed a suspected illegal factory used for producing and packaging adulterated alcoholic drinks in the Yafin area of Badagry, Lagos State, arresting a 48-year-old man in connection with the operation.
The suspect, identified as Anaebo Emeka Hilary, was found at the premises when police operatives raided the facility. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the development on Thursday, September 24, 2026, stating that the operation followed credible intelligence provided by members of the public.
According to Adebisi, the operatives recovered adulterated alcoholic drinks, empty bottles, different wine labels, and various production utensils suspected to have been used in producing and packaging the fake drinks. "The factory was subsequently sealed, while the suspect was taken into police custody for further investigation," she said. "The recovered items have been taken to the station for further investigation."
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the operatives for their vigilance and prompt response to the information. He reaffirmed the command's commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against criminal activities across the state. The CP also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police through the command's emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.
The raid in Badagry is the latest in a series of crackdowns on illegal alcohol production in Lagos State. In April 2026, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control dismantled two illegal production outlets involved in the counterfeiting and adulteration of alcoholic beverages, seizing products valued at approximately N350 million. More than 1,800 cartons of counterfeit alcoholic drinks were recovered during coordinated searches at Zamfara Plaza in the Trade Fair Complex and other locations on Lagos Island.
In July 2026, NAFDAC intercepted fake alcoholic drinks worth over N180 million in a raid on a makeshift factory in the Oke Arin market area. In September 2026, the agency seized fake and adulterated wines valued at N8 million in Lagos, underscoring the persistence of the illegal trade despite repeated enforcement actions.
The recurring nature of these raids points to a larger problem. Fake and adulterated alcoholic drinks pose serious health risks to consumers, including methanol poisoning, organ damage, and in some cases, death. The production and sale of such products also deprive legitimate manufacturers of revenue and undermine public confidence in the regulated market. The involvement of a 48-year-old suspect in the Badagry case suggests that the trade is not confined to a single age group or demographic. It is a business, and it is being run for profit.
For the Lagos State Police Command, the operation is a success. The factory has been sealed, the suspect is in custody, and the recovered items will form part of the evidence in the ongoing investigation. But the question remains whether this raid will serve as a deterrent or whether it is merely a temporary disruption in a much larger criminal enterprise. The public's role in providing the intelligence that led to the arrest is a reminder that law enforcement alone cannot solve the problem. Community vigilance is essential, and the police have repeatedly called for it.
The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues. The police have not disclosed the scale of the operation or the estimated value of the recovered items. However, the presence of production utensils, empty bottles, and counterfeit labels suggests a facility equipped for ongoing, large-scale production. The investigation will determine the full extent of the operation, including where the products were being distributed and whether others were involved.
As the police continue their investigation, the people of Lagos State are left to wonder how many other illegal factories are operating in their communities, producing drinks that end up on shelves and in bars, consumed by unsuspecting members of the public. The raid in Badagry is a step forward, but it is not the end of the road. The fight against counterfeit alcohol requires sustained enforcement, strong regulation, and an informed public. Until then, the trade will continue, and the risks will remain.
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