Police raid illegal bottle crushing factories in Anambra

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, in partnership with the Beer Sectoral Group, have dismantled illegal recycling outfits in parts of Anambra State accused of destroying returnable beverage bottles and plastic crates owned by major manufacturers.

The enforcement action, carried out last Thursday, followed intelligence that some operators were crushing glass bottles and shredding plastic crates for sale as raw materials. Several suspects were arrested during the raid.

The Beer Sectoral Group, an affiliate of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, said it partnered with the police after receiving credible reports about illegal recyclers operating in the South-East.

Its Executive Secretary, Abiola Laseinde, said investigations uncovered the diversion of large volumes of returnable bottles and crates from legitimate distribution channels into informal recycling networks.

“We identified multiple locations in the South-East where bottles and crates belonging to beverage companies were being crushed and shredded for resale as raw materials,” Laseinde said.

She noted that the practice had cost manufacturers millions of naira.

“The owners of these factories are destroying returnable packaging materials meant for reuse. These assets belong to beverage companies that have invested heavily in sustainable packaging systems,” she added.

Laseinde explained that the raid followed months of intelligence gathering and collaboration with security and regulatory agencies.

“The recent raid is the outcome of sustained engagements and intelligence-led investigations. It represents a decisive step by authorities to protect legitimate business operations, uphold environmental standards and deter further illegal activity,” she said.

Describing the destruction of the materials as criminal and economically harmful, she stated: “These returnable packaging materials are company-owned assets designed for multiple reuse cycles. It is a criminal activity to destroy them.”

She warned that such acts could disrupt supply chains, increase operational costs and pose environmental risks due to unsafe recycling methods.

Laseinde urged those involved to desist or face prosecution and called on members of the public to report suspicious activities to the police or beverage companies.

The group said manufacturers had long struggled with the theft and illegal recycling of returnable packaging materials across the country.