Police arrest suspect, seize 120 bottles of fake gin
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man and seized 120 bottles of suspected adulterated dry gin during a stop-and-search operation in Ikot Ekpene.
The suspect, identified as Ubong Ntiense, from Ibiaku Village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, was arrested on September 26, 2026, around 1.45pm along Aba Road.
*The exhibit
Etim Ekpimah
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man and seized 120 bottles of suspected adulterated dry gin during a stop-and-search operation in Ikot Ekpene.
The suspect, identified as Ubong Ntiense, from Ibiaku Village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, was arrested on September 26, 2026, around 1.45pm along Aba Road.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said Ntiense was intercepted while allegedly transporting the drinks to Essien Udim Local Government Area for delivery.
Five cartons containing 24 bottles each were recovered from him. The bottles carried the label “Pointers Special Dry Gin”, which the police described as suspected counterfeit.
John said the suspect and the recovered products were taken to the station for preliminary investigation, during which he allegedly confessed to involvement in the production of the drinks.
Following information obtained during the investigation, police operatives obtained and executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and premises.
The search reportedly led to the recovery of substances and other materials suspected to have been used in producing the adulterated alcoholic beverages.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, directed investigators to establish the source of the products and identify others allegedly involved in their production and distribution.
The command described the circulation of adulterated alcoholic drinks as a serious public safety concern, warning that unsuspecting consumers could suffer serious consequences from consuming products whose contents and origins are unknown.
John warned manufacturers, distributors, retailers and others involved in the production or sale of counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic beverages to stop the practice or face arrest and prosecution.
He urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic drinks and report suspected production or distribution of counterfeit beverages to the police or relevant regulatory authorities.
The investigation is ongoing.
