Three arrested in Kumasi for distributing fake insecticides

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested three distributors and shop owners suspected of selling fake mosquito and insecticide sprays in Adum and Tech, Kumasi. The products, believed to have originated from Nigeria, are knock-offs of the UK-imported "Kill It" insecticide brand.

The arrests follow a complaint lodged by Evergreen Chemist Limited, sole importer of the original “Kill It” brand. Their report triggered a police-led operation targeting counterfeit goods in major business hubs across Kumasi.

The suspects, currently in custody, are expected to face multiple charges, including forgery of trademarks, false labeling, and defrauding by false pretenses. If found guilty, they face up to three years in prison or hefty fines.

According to the police, the fake products not only violate intellectual property laws but also pose serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers.

DCOP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, confirmed the arrests and warned that more operations would follow as investigations deepen. “We’re looking beyond the retailers. Our focus is also on tracing the source,” he said.

He explained that the culprits may also be charged under laws governing the sale, labeling, and advertising of chemical and medicinal products, especially those found to be misleading or harmful to the public.

Abigail Del, the authorized importer of "Kill It", expressed concern about the damage to her business and public safety. “The fake ones look similar but are faint in color, and the UK tag is replaced with ‘Made in PRC’,” she noted. “Some of those selling the counterfeits were my own customers who abandoned our product. Our sales plummeted, and the counterfeit is harmful—it has been assessed by the FDA.”

She warned that the imitation sprays contain unverified chemicals that endanger human health and emphasized the urgent need to protect both dealers and consumers.

The police are urging buyers to carefully inspect labels, packaging, and branding to distinguish between authentic and fake products.