NAFDAC operatives have said that the agency uncovered hidden weapons at Ogbo Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra during a recent operation.
According to NAFDAC, rifles, live cartridges and other arms were found hidden by unknown persons.
The operation started on February 10 as part of a nationwide exercise to enhance public health standard.
Martins Iluyomade, the south-east zonal director of NAFDAC, spoke to journalists on Wednesday and explained the operation.
He was surprised at the hidden weapons, saying fraudulent drug dealers had hidden them to ambush the agency’s enforcement team.
In addition to the arms, 50 trailer loads of counterfeit and substandard drugs were recovered and taken to NAFDAC laboratory for testing.
Iluyomade said, “With the help of our security team, we saw and recovered a dagger, machetes, two guns, rifles and live cartridges.”
He said every night, they arrest people trying to force these fake drugs into the market shops and those arrested are volunteering information.
This is a clear case of how far criminal networks will go to cover their illegal activities.
In a related development, Iluyomade commended the market leaders for their cooperation during the operation.
He said some parts of the market will be opened later this week as they prepare for the next phase of the operation.
Other similar operations in other zones have shown that persistent enforcement can lead to significant reduction in the circulation of counterfeit drugs which are said to contribute to public health risks globally.
Research from international regulatory bodies have shown that enforcement is key to mitigating the risks posed by substandard drugs and illegal arms.