A’Ibom man arrested with 120 bottles of fake gin

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man, Ubong Ntiense, for alleged production and distribution of adulterated alcoholic beverages and recovered 120 bottles of suspected fake dry gin in Ikot Ekpene.

Ntiense, a native of Ibiaku Village in the Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state and resident along Abak Road, was arrested at about 1:45pm on September 26, 2026, during a stop-and-search operation along Aba Road.

In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the suspect was intercepted while allegedly conveying the products to Essien Udim Local Government Area for delivery.

According to the statement, a search of the suspect led to the recovery of five cartons of suspected adulterated dry gin bearing the label, “Pointers Special Dry Gin.”

The police said each carton contained 24 bottles, bringing the total number of recovered bottles to 120.

The statement said the suspect and the recovered exhibits were taken to the station for preliminary investigation, during which he allegedly confessed to involvement in the production of the adulterated alcoholic beverages.

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It added that, based on information obtained during the investigation, police operatives secured and executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and premises, where substances and other materials allegedly used in producing the drinks were recovered.

The statement said, “Based on information obtained during the investigation, police operatives secured and executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and premises, where substances and other materials allegedly used in the production of the adulterated drinks were recovered as exhibits.”

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, directed that the investigation be conducted thoroughly and professionally, with a view to identifying other persons allegedly connected to the production and circulation of the counterfeit products.

Azare described the production and distribution of adulterated alcoholic beverages as a serious public safety concern, noting that unsuspecting members of the public could consume such products without knowing their contents or origin.

He warned individuals, distributors, retailers and organised networks involved in the manufacture, transportation or sale of counterfeit drinks to desist, stressing that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations and surveillance to disrupt such activities.

The CP urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic beverages and promptly report suspicious production or distribution activities to the police or relevant regulatory agencies.