The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested a suspected major dealer in fake and expired drugs, Lazarus Onwukwe, in Aba, Abia State.

 

Onwukwe, believed to be the largest distributor of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in Nigeria’s South-East region, was apprehended on Thursday at his residence in Umuocheala, Osisioma Ngwa LGA, during a joint operation involving NAFDAC, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

 

The suspect had been on the run since February 2025, when NAFDAC first raided the property and discovered what officials described as the largest fake drug warehouse and mini-production facility in the region.

 

Speaking to journalists at the scene, Pharmacist Omoyeni Babatunji, NAFDAC’s Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement for the South-East and South-South zones, explained that Onwukwe was caught while attempting to leave the premises in a Siena vehicle reportedly loaded with drugs.

 

“During the February raid, we recovered and evacuated over 14 truckloads of expired and fake drugs from two duplexes and several bungalows. We sealed the building, but the suspect evaded arrest—until now,” Babatunji stated.

 

 

 

He added that following continuous surveillance, the agency was able to track and arrest Onwukwe, who allegedly believed the operation had blown over.

 

“We’re here to inform the public that he has now been captured, and we will begin laboratory evaluations on the drugs recovered. Our scientific process ensures transparency, one sample will be given to the suspect, another sent to our lab, and one kept as evidence.”

 

 

 

Interestingly, NAFDAC officials discovered that the previously sealed buildings were now occupied by tenants. The agency confirmed that no drugs were found in the apartments at the time of the latest raid.

 

In an interview with reporters, Onwukwe admitted to owning the buildings and using them as warehouses but denied knowledge of any illegal activity. He maintained that his products were imported foreign drugs, not expired ones.

 

“I have been ill for months. I didn’t know the house had been sealed. My wife and in-law had been contacting NAFDAC offices on my behalf,” he claimed.

 

 

 

He also distanced himself from the alleged revalidation of expired drugs, blaming one of his former apprentices who was still residing with him.

 

His wife, Mrs. Nwamaka Chidiebere, corroborated the account, stating she was unaware the building had been sealed and had rented out vacant spaces due to her husband’s unexplained absence.

 

 

“I rented the apartments because my husband was missing for months. I had no knowledge of the drugs. I only know he dealt in foreign medicine,” she said.

 

 

 

Some of the tenants, including Engineer Lawrence Nwankwo and Chioma Innocent, expressed shock upon learning that the property was under surveillance and linked to illegal drug operations. Both claimed to have been unaware of any criminal investigation prior to renting their apartments.