Police arrest man over alleged fake dry gin production in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man for the alleged production and distribution of adulterated alcoholic beverages in Ikot Ek Read More: https://punchng.com/police-arrest-40-year-old-producer-of-fake-dry-gin-in-aibom/

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man suspected of producing and distributing adulterated alcoholic beverages. Officers also recovered five cartons of suspected fake dry gin in Ikot Ekpene.The suspect, Ubong Ntiense, a native of Ibiaku Village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area who lives along Abak Road, was arrested on September 26, 2026, at about 1:45 pm. Operatives intercepted him during a stop-and-search operation along Aba Road while he was allegedly transporting the products to Essien Udim Local Government Area for delivery.In a statement released on Monday, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Timfon John said the command had stepped up its crackdown on the production, distribution and circulation of counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic drinks across the state.A search of the items yielded five cartons of suspected adulterated dry gin labelled “Pointers Special Dry Gin.” Each carton contained 24 bottles, making a total of 120 bottles.Ntiense and the recovered exhibits were taken to the station for preliminary investigation. He allegedly confessed to producing the fake alcoholic drinks. Based on that information, police obtained and executed a search warrant at his residence and premises, where substances and materials believed to have been used in the production were recovered as exhibits.Commissioner of Police Baba Azare directed that the investigation be conducted thoroughly and professionally to identify any other persons involved in the production and circulation of the counterfeit products.Azare described the manufacture and distribution of adulterated alcoholic beverages as a serious public safety concern, noting that unsuspecting consumers may drink such products without knowing their contents or origin.He warned individuals, distributors, retailers and organised networks involved in making, transporting or selling counterfeit drinks to stop immediately. The command, he said, would continue using intelligence-led operations and surveillance to disrupt the activities.The commissioner urged members of the public to be careful when buying alcoholic beverages and to promptly report any suspicious production or distribution activities to the police or relevant regulatory agencies.