The Lagos State Police Command announced the arrest of a trader, Emmanuel Nwodo, for allegedly distributing adulterated alcoholic beverages in the Iju area of the state.

Nwodo, who is 38, was reportedly apprehended with chemicals suspected to be ethanol and other materials used in the production of fake drinks.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said Nwodo was arrested at Mosalashi Market, Agege.

He noted that the suspect confessed to the crime upon interrogation.

“The suspect was arrested by a police team led by the Divisional Police Officer, Pen Cinema Police Division, SP Pius Edobor.

“He was caught with two cartons of alcoholic drinks suspected to be adulterated. On interrogation, the suspect confessed that he produced the drinks in his one room shop at Mosalashi Market, Agege.

“He later led operatives to the shop where he concocted the drinks. A search warrant was executed and the following items were recovered there: two 30 litres of chemicals suspected to be ethanol, two cartons of Aromatic Schnapps suspected to be fake, 51 small bottles of Chelsea Dry Gin suspected to be fake, 35 pieces of Chelsea cork, five labels of Lords, Chelsea and Elders alcoholic drinks.”

Oti recalled other recent arrests made in the state of individuals involved in the production and distribution of illicit alcoholic beverages.

On April 3, 2018, at Ajuwon Market, Mushin, the police arrested and prosecuted a 55-year-old trader, Benjamin Ojukwu, who was allegedly involved in the production and distribution of fake wine and alcoholic drinks.

Similarly, on April 11, 2018, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi, led operatives to arrest the owners of an illegal brewery, where fake malt drinks were allegedly produced at the Igbogbo Bayeku area of Ikorodu.

Oti said that Imohimi had directed all Area Commanders, DPOs, and head of investigating units in the command to take public safety and security seriously by looking out for those behind such trades and ensure their arrest and prosecution.

He said that the “preponderance of kidney diseases and other diseases of the organs might not be unconnected with the intake of the adulterated products.”

“Nwodu was charged to court on October 3, 2018 and he was granted bail. However, he was remanded in prison because he could not meet the bail conditions,” Oti added.