The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a large-scale operation dealing in expired and falsified drugs at Umumeje village, Osisioma Ngwa, Abia State.

According to the agency, the premises, comprising multiple buildings near the Ariaria International Market, served as a hub for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines for resale.

NAFDAC said it was able to seize expired potassium chloride, allergy medications, immune boosters, and cholesterol treatments, adding that machines used to rebrand and alter expiry dates were also discovered on-site.

"During the raid, some individuals were arrested, but the prime suspect remains at large. Despite efforts to reach him, he showed no concern for his detained family members.

"The operation was in collaboration with security agencies, as part of the federal government’s intensified crackdown on counterfeit medicines.

"NAFDAC reaffirms its commitment to eradicating the circulation of substandard and falsified drugs in Nigeria.

"The agency is currently reviewing its laws to impose stricter penalties on individuals and organisations involved in the production and distribution of dangerous pharmaceutical products," NAFDAC said in a statement on Friday.