The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man, Ubong Ntiense, over his alleged involvement in the production and distribution of adulterated alcoholic beverages and recovered five cartons of suspected fake dry gin in Ikot Ekpene. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, disclosed in a statement that Ntiense was arrested on September 26, 2026, at about 1:45 p.m. during a stop-and-search operation along Aba Road. According to the police, the suspect was intercepted while allegedly transporting the products to Essien Udim Local Government Area for delivery. The statement said the arrest was part of the command’s ongoing efforts to curb the production, distribution and circulation of counterfeit and adulterated alcoholic beverages across the state. Police said five cartons of suspected adulterated dry gin bearing the label “Pointers Special Dry Gin” were recovered from the suspect. Each carton reportedly contained 24 bottles, bringing the total number of bottles recovered to 120. The suspect, identified as a native of Ibiaku Village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area and a resident of Abak Road, was taken to the police station along with the recovered items for preliminary investigation. The police alleged that Ntiense confessed to being involved in the production of the adulterated alcoholic beverages. Following the alleged confession, operatives obtained and executed a search warrant at his residence and premises, where they reportedly recovered substances and materials suspected to have been used in producing the adulterated drinks. The state Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, directed that the investigation be conducted thoroughly and professionally, with the aim of identifying other individuals allegedly involved in the production and distribution of the counterfeit products.
