NDLEA alerts on fake medicinal cannabis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has warned Nigerians about the circulation of dangerous illicit substances falsely packaged and marketed as medicinal cannabis.

The alert followed the arrest of a 28-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Afeez Salisu, also known as Malu, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 2 Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos.

The suspect was reportedly packaging and distributing the fake products in designer pouches and cups.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

Babafemi disclosed that 16.4 kilograms of synthetic cannabis strains, including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud, were recovered from the suspect’s store.

According to Babafemi, the seized substances, labelled as medicinal cannabis, were in fact dangerous and highly potent psychoactive variants, not approved or regulated pharmaceutical products.

He explained that investigations revealed the products contained high concentrations of illicit cannabis strains linked to severe psychological and cognitive effects such as psychosis, paranoia, and anxiety, particularly among young users.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), said the syndicate behind the illicit trade was exploiting global conversations around medicinal cannabis to push harmful products into Nigerian communities.

“Cannabis remains a prohibited substance in Nigeria. Any product being sold locally under the guise of medicinal cannabis is fake, dangerous, and illegal,” Marwa stated.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid consuming such products, and report anyone involved in their distribution to the nearest NDLEA office.