Police Raid Ojo Warehouse, Uncover Expired Drugs Repackaged for Sale

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have uncovered an alleged illegal drug-repackaging warehouse in the Ojo area of Lagos State, where expired, counterfeit and substandard medicines were reportedly being prepared for distribution to unsuspecting members of the public.

The facility was allegedly linked to a prominent traditional figure identified as an Eze Ndigbo, although the police have yet to publicly establish the extent of his involvement in the operation.

The warehouse was raided following actionable intelligence reportedly provided by residents who had raised concerns over suspicious activities, including night-time movements, at the premises.

During a joint operation involving security personnel and officials of relevant regulatory agencies, thousands of cartons of medicines were reportedly recovered from the facility.

The seized products allegedly included expired antibiotics, analgesics and other prescription medicines.

Investigators also reportedly discovered counterfeit packaging materials, equipment for re-stamping medicines and materials allegedly used to alter batch numbers and manufacture and expiry dates.

The police suspect that the products were being repackaged and prepared for distribution to major markets across Lagos.

A senior police officer involved in the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said several suspects were arrested during the raid, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other alleged members of the syndicate.

The source said: “We received credible information about an illegal syndicate operating out of a residential property in Ojo. Upon raiding the premises, our men discovered a large-scale illegal operation dedicated to altering dates on expired drugs.”

The Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer confirmed the raid and said an extensive investigation had commenced in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Authorities are expected to establish the ownership and operational structure of the facility, determine the source and intended destinations of the medicines, and identify all persons connected with the alleged illegal operation.

The development has also raised concerns over the potential public-health risks posed by expired and falsified medicines if they reach consumers through the open market.