The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has confiscated alcoholic beverages estimated at N300 million during enforcement operations across major markets in Lagos State.

The agency said the seized products were alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate bottles measuring below 200ml, which are prohibited under existing regulations.

NAFDAC disclosed this in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Sunday, noting that several distributors and retailers found dealing in the banned products were also arrested.

The enforcement operations were conducted at Ile-Epo Market, Ojuwoye Market in Mushin and Oke-Arin Market on Lagos Island.

According to the agency, its officials evacuated several cartons of the prohibited alcoholic beverages from the affected markets during the raids.

It added that investigations showed some distributors and retailers had been stockpiling the banned products amid increased demand and rising prices.

NAFDAC said the exercise was part of its ongoing efforts to enforce compliance with the Federal Government’s prohibition of the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.

The agency reiterated that the ban remains in force and warned manufacturers, distributors, retailers and other stakeholders against producing, selling, distributing or hoarding the prohibited drinks.

It further disclosed that manufacturers had previously been directed to recall the affected products nationwide, warning that facilities found violating the directive could face closure.

NAFDAC maintained that the grace period granted to manufacturers to discontinue production of the banned alcoholic beverages had expired, stressing that enforcement of the prohibition would continue.