The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has discovered prohibited drugs hidden inside plumbing material shops at the Onitsha Bridgehead drug market in Anambra State.

NAFDAC shared the news on its X account, along with a video showing the raid. Officials seized two trailer loads of unregistered narcotics, banned tramadol, and counterfeit drugs from the shops.

According to NAFDAC, the drugs were carefully hidden to avoid detection, but the agency successfully uncovered them during the operation.

This discovery comes at a time when traders in Onitsha are struggling with losses due to the ongoing closure of six major markets in the area. Security operatives shut down the markets over two weeks ago to crack down on fake and expired drug dealers.

The affected markets include the Onitsha drug market, Oduwani (Power Tools and Allied) market, Surgical Line market, Plumbing Materials market, Ogbogwu fashion line market, Bridgehead provision market, and part of the timber dealers market.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure public safety and prevent the sale of dangerous drugs.