FG Taskforce, OCHA Brigade Raid Fake Wine Manufacturing Factory, Arrest 7 Suspects in Onitsha

Presidential Task Force Against Economic Sabotage and Oil Vandalism, in conjunction with operatives of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade, have busted an illegal wine manufacturing facility in Onitsha.

Seven suspects were arrested during a raid on the illegal wine production facility located on Onowu Street by Chipet filling station off Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Onitsha.

The facility, known as Aliban, specializes in the manufacture of counterfeit wines and the imitation of popular brands such as Classic Heaven, Baron Devanis, Dutch Black, Triple MW, and Hennessy, among others.

The raid was conducted following credible intelligence received by the enforcement officers.

Several packing stores and rooms in the facility were found to be used for producing various alcoholic beverages and wines.

Speaking to the press, the Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere, noted that command officers discovered that multiple packing stores and warehouses in the area had been converted into makeshift factories where different brands of alcoholic drinks and wines were being produced, packaged, and distributed in the open market.

According to the OCHA Brigade chief, during the raid, over 2,000 cartons of wines and already packaged drinks were seized, along with unhealthy equipment such as mixing tanks, improvised filters, various packaging materials, and bags of empty bottles. He urged consumers to be vigilant, especially when purchasing alcoholic beverages and wines.

The state coordinator of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force Against Economic Sabotage and Oil Vandalism, Mr. Collins Enebeli, stated that the task force is committed to ending all forms of economic sabotage in the country, describing Anambra State as one of the leading states in the production of fake products.

Some of the suspects, including Mrs. Happiness Titus and Ebelechukwu Anozie, claimed they were merely workers in the factory, trying to make ends meet without any knowledge of the factory’s certification. They pleaded for mercy from the government, pointing out that their boss, Mr. Ikechukwu Alih, supplies over one thousand cartons of wines every day.