The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Lagos State Command, on Monday, shut down an illegal juice production factory and paraded two female suspects ( names withheld ) between the ages of 48 and 50 linked to the production of fake fruit juice known as ‘Barkas Juice.’
This was contained in a statement signed by the state command Public Relations Officer, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin.
Abolurin said that fake fruit juice production involved mixing water, synthetic chemical flavorings, industrial sweeteners, artificial colorants, and chemical preservatives and completely omitting real fruit.
He said that the Badagry operatives of the Corps after five days surveillance, working in close knit with the Nigerian Army formation in the area, suppressed all threats of resistance by some violent unscrupulous youthful elements attempting to stop them from carrying out a swift, seamless and clinical operation which later led to the bust juice factory in Badagry.
“The consistent community engagements being organised to sensitise stakeholders in various communities in the state has continued to build trust and lasting friendship between the general public and the NSCDC in Lagos state.
“This has resulted into ceaseless information and intelligence sharing with the Command’s formations in the state,” he said.
Abolurin said that the lead suspect and owner of the business ( name withheld ), aged 48 confessed that her grandmother started off with water production, which later upgraded to Barkas fruit juice production inherited from her grandmother about twenty years ago.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the fake Barkas juice contains high sugar content, water , colourants, dyes and additives without the real fruit which makes it inimical to the human body.
“Unfortunately, the negative health consequences of the consumption of fake products such as Barkas fruit juice include ; Type 2 Diabetes , Liver and Kidney failure just to mention a few.
“Also the production , sale and distribution of this fake fruit juice with a supposedly fake NAFDAC NO : 01 – 2166L is done under a high level unhygienic environment with wide distribution to Lagos markets , Benin City in Edo State and many other States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The commands spokesman said that exhibits recovered at the crime scene include: truck, cartons of Barkas fake fruit juice, machineries , chemicals , drums , cylinder gas among others.
Abolurin said that the State Commandant, NSCDC, Lagos State Command , Mr Adedotun Keshinro , affirmed that the suspects would undergo further investigation and be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“Keshinro also directs that the unregistered factory used for the production of the adulterated fruit juice be shutdown immediately to avert the adverse effect it may pose on unsuspecting consumers.
“He also affirms that the Command will collaborate with NAFDAC and relevant bodies to ensure that justice is served in this matter,” Abolurin said.
