The Anambra State Police Command has
busted an underground warehouse in
Onitsha stocked with a large consignment
of suspected fake shoe polish worth about
30 million Naira.
The underground warehouse located at a
3-storey Plaza along Marine modern
market, Onitsha built into the River Niger, is
allegedly owned by one Mr Ebube who
according to the Police is still at large.
The adulterated products were craftily
packed in unidentified cartons on the
outside with the original carton hidden on
the inside.
Addressing newsmen after the raid, the
State Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba
Umar, explained that the the raid followed
a formal complaint lodged by the holder of
the franchise for the product, adding that it
was an eye opener for the command on
the illegalities going in major markets
across the state.
He further said the discovery that the
adulterated products may have been
brought in through the River Niger, has
brought to the fore, the need for the Police
to beef up its Marine arm and partner
better with the Nigerian Navy to improve
security on the waterways.
CP Umar appealed to the general public to
support the war against fake products by
volunteering credible information that will
lead to the busting of such illegal
operations, assuring that the Police will
follow through investigations to ensure
that the culprit is brought to book.
The Holder of the franchise for the product,
Chief Sam Anyanwutaku who bemoaned
the huge damage which the activities of
such illegal manufacturers do to their
businesses, said upon receiving intelligence
on his operations, he had immediately
reported to the Police, expressing gratitude
to the State Police Command for their
prompt response.
The Chairman of the Market, Mr Louis
Onyeabo who absolved the market union
of any complicity in the crime, stated clearly
that the market deals only on clothing
materials and has a standing policy against
adulterated products.
The confiscated products were later taken
to the State Police Headquarters in Awka as
exhibits while investigations continue.
