The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected producers of adulterated alcoholic beverages and recovered a large quantity of counterfeit drinks, chemicals, and packaging materials during a raid on an illegal production facility in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the suspects were apprehended by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad and the Anti-Violent Crime Unit (RRS/VCRU) following credible intelligence.
The suspects, identified as Ikechukwu Okeke, 42, and Okeke Chukwuemeka, 38, were arrested in the early hours of June 15, 2026.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were members of a syndicate allegedly involved in the adulteration and counterfeiting of popular alcoholic beverages for distribution across the state and beyond.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to the crime and led investigators to a mini-factory where the illicit operation was being carried out.
Police operatives recovered several suspected counterfeit alcoholic products, including Seaman’s Schnapps, McDowell’s, Eagle Schnapps, Elliot Hot Drinks, and Baileys Fresh Cream. Also recovered were dangerous chemicals allegedly used in the production process, alongside numerous empty bottles, labels, and packaging materials intended for the manufacture and distribution of fake drinks.
The suspects are currently in police custody, while the recovered exhibits have been secured for forensic examination and evidential purposes.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for the successful operation and warned individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit consumable products to desist or face the full weight of the law.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting public health and safety, noting that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate and determine the full scope of their operations.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in combating crime and safeguarding lives in the state.
