The Nigeria Police in collaboration with the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) has raided illegal recycling sites in Anambra State and arrested several suspects for allegedly destroying returnable beverage bottles and plastic crates belonging to manufacturing companies.
The operation, carried out on Thursday in parts of Anambra and environs, followed intelligence reports on the illegal disposal, theft and unauthorised recycling of returnable packaging materials owned by beverage manufacturers.
Executive Secretary of the Beer Sectoral Group, Abiola Laseinde, said the raid was based on credible intelligence aimed at curbing the destruction and diversion of returnable glass bottles and plastic crates.
According to her, investigations revealed that multiple locations in the South-East were involved in crushing bottles and shredding plastic crates for resale as raw materials. She noted that significant quantities of the packaging materials were being diverted from legitimate distribution channels into informal recycling networks.
Laseinde said the destruction of the materials had caused beverage companies to incur losses amounting to millions of naira, as the assets were designed for repeated reuse under a circular packaging model.
She explained that the group had formally engaged security and regulatory authorities through petitions and intelligence-sharing to secure lawful intervention, recover company assets and dismantle unauthorised recycling operations.
“The recent raid is the outcome of sustained engagements and intelligence-led investigations and represents a decisive step by authorities to protect legitimate business operations, uphold environmental standards and deter further illegal activity,” she said.
Describing the practice as criminal and a form of economic sabotage, Laseinde stressed that the returnable packaging materials remain the property of beverage companies, which have invested heavily in them as part of sustainability and cost-efficiency strategies.
She warned those involved in the illegal activities to desist, noting that offenders would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Laseinde added that beyond financial losses, the activities posed risks including supply chain disruptions, increased operational costs, unsafe recycling practices and threats to public safety.
She urged members of the public to report suspicious activities related to the destruction or unauthorised recycling of returnable packaging materials to the police or through beverage companies’ consumer care lines.
The Beer Sectoral Group and other beverage manufacturers have in recent years faced persistent challenges involving the illegal disposal, theft and unauthorised recycling of returnable packaging materials across parts of the country.
