Economic Sabotage: Illegal beverage packaging factories uncovered

The Nigeria Police Force, working with the Beer Sectoral Group, has raided illegal factories in Anambra State. These factories were accused of destroying returnable glass bottles and plastic crates belonging to major beverage companies.

The raid took place last Thursday after the police received information that some operators were crushing bottles and shredding plastic crates to sell them as raw materials.

The Beer Sectoral Group, which is part of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, said several suspects were arrested during the operation.

The group’s Executive Secretary, Abiola Laseinde, explained that the action was taken to stop the illegal destruction, theft, and recycling of packaging materials used by beverage companies.

She said the group worked with the police after getting reliable information about illegal recyclers operating in the South-East.

According to her, investigations showed that large numbers of returnable glass bottles and plastic crates were being taken from proper supply channels and sent to informal recycling factories.

Laseinde said the illegal activities had caused beverage manufacturers to lose millions of naira.

She explained that the bottles and crates are company property and are meant to be reused many times. Destroying them, she said, is a criminal act and a form of economic sabotage.

She added that the raid followed several months of investigation and cooperation with security and regulatory agencies.

Laseinde warned that such illegal activities could affect supply chains, increase business costs, and create environmental problems due to unsafe recycling methods.

She advised those involved in the illegal trade to stop immediately, adding that offenders would be prosecuted.

She also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities involving the destruction or illegal recycling of beverage packaging materials to the police or beverage companies.

The Beer Sectoral Group said beverage manufacturers have been facing the problem of theft and illegal recycling of returnable packaging materials for many years across the country.