By Chioma Obinna

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday arrested five members of a syndicate which specializes in counterfeiting and distribution of cosmetics and food products.

Parading the suspects at a media briefing in Lagos, the Director -General of the agency, Dr. Paul Orhii, said the products constituted public health problems.

Orhii, who was represented by the Head, Investigations and Enforcement, Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor, also cautioned the public not to be deceived by such unscrupulous businessmen capitalising on old habit to market spurious products that could harm human health.

Giving account of the latest crackdown, which he considered a major breakthrough by the agency, Orhii said a member of the syndicate, Mr. Ebenezer Arimiwen of Fakanbi Street, Egbeda, Lagos, was arrested in his illegal factory located right inside his residential apartment, counterfeiting brands of cosmetic products.

The NAFDAC boss also noted that all the products of Arimiwen were presented as manufactured in London, Paris, New York and EU.

Also arrested and paraded was Mrs. Tina Ezeaku in Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, for the illegal manufacture of unregistered Timbora Yoghurt and also obstructing officers from performing their duty.