NAFDAC uncovers shocking ₦3bn fake cosmetics haul

NAFDAC fake cosmetics raid uncovers banned and unregistered products worth over ₦3bn hidden in a Lagos warehouse

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Saturday uncovered a warehouse containing banned, fake and unregistered cosmetic products valued at more than ₦3 billion at the APT Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State.

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The agency said the facility was concealed within an uncompleted building, where large quantities of skincare, beauty and personal care items were stored without proper authorisation or regulatory approval.

Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control disclosed that the discovery followed intelligence-led surveillance and a targeted enforcement operation.

The warehouse was reportedly stocked with products that either failed to meet safety standards or had not been registered with the agency.

Preliminary assessments placed the estimated street value of the seized items at over ₦3 billion, making it one of the most significant recent interceptions involving NAFDAC fake cosmetics in Lagos.

Regulatory officers sealed the premises and began cataloguing the confiscated products. Investigations are ongoing to identify the owners of the warehouse and trace distribution networks linked to the operation.

NAFDAC warned that the circulation of counterfeit and banned cosmetics poses serious health risks to consumers, including skin damage and exposure to harmful substances.

The agency described the haul as a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on substandard goods.

The operation has renewed concerns about the proliferation of unregistered beauty products in major commercial hubs, particularly within trade complexes where monitoring can be challenging.

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Authorities stated that further enforcement actions would follow as part of efforts to safeguard public health and sanitise the market.

Quadri Olaitan