NAFDAC Raises Alarm About Roadside Traders Mixing Illicit Drugs With Tea

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to be aware that some unscrupulous commercial tea sellers popularly called ‘Mai Shayi’ now mix hard drugs with the tea sold to customers.

The Director-General of the agency Mojisola Adeyeye, during an interview with NAN, in Abuja said the drugs include tramadol, Vieteling, Marijuana and others, which could lead to the death of those that consume such tea.

Mai Shayi is a tea and bread seller who also sells cooked indomie and fried-eggs along major streets in most cities of the country.

Nigerians in a hurry to get to work, particularly in the north, patronise these roadside tea stores which has become a booming business.

In 2017, the Kano State governor,  Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, empowered 5, 200 tea sellers with packages that include noodles, cocoa beverage, liquid and powdered milk.

Others include crates of eggs, nylon and cups, baskets, brown and white sugar, spaghetti and bread, all amounting to over N208m.

However, the agency urged Nigerians to refrain from the consumption of tea from these sellers as it is detrimental to their health.