FADA N'GOURMA — Authorities dismantled three clandestine pre-packaged water production units in Fada N'Gourma on Friday, following a thorough police investigation sparked by a consumer safety complaint.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the regional head of the Eastern judicial police, the raid was the culmination of an investigation that began on June 5, 2024, after reports of deceptive practices in the water packaging industry. The units were found in sectors No. 1 and No. 2 of Fada N'Gourma, with equipment setups that included filtering devices connected to poly tanks, and one linked directly to the National Office of Water and Sanitation's supply.

The regional director of industrial development and small and medium-sized enterprises, Boukari Ouédraogo, emphasized that the dismantled facilities failed to meet any established safety standards, potentially endangering public health. The water from these sites was sold under multiple brand names such as OGAPO, EAU TRESOR, and EAU VISA, among others.

The suspects involved in the operation, including one woman, range in age from 24 to 48 years old. The ongoing investigations will further explore the health impacts of these illegal activities, although it is too early to detail the specific effects on the community's health.

Additionally, the regional authorities highlighted that there are seven legally operating pre-packaged water units in the Fada N'Gourma and Eastern region, although two have been temporarily closed for safety reviews. This crackdown is part of a broader effort to ensure that all such enterprises adhere to the necessary safety and quality standards to protect consumers.