The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians, particularly youths, against consuming illicit substances falsely marketed as medicinal cannabis, describing them as dangerous, unregulated, and life-threatening.
The agency’s alert follows the arrest of a 28-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Afeez Salisu, also known as Malu, who was apprehended on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at his residence located at 2 Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos.
NDLEA operatives reportedly recovered 16.4 kilograms of various potent and synthetic cannabis strains, including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud, all packaged in designer pouches and cups labelled as medicinal cannabis.
In a statement on Wednesday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency said Salisu was running a distribution network that supplied the fake “therapeutic” cannabis products to unsuspecting consumers across Lagos and beyond.
According to the NDLEA, laboratory analysis confirmed that the seized products contained highly potent and harmful psychoactive substances.
These, it said, are known to cause serious mental health issues such as psychosis, acute anxiety, paranoia, and long-term cognitive impairment — particularly among young users.
“The so-called medicinal cannabis being sold in designer pouches is nothing but adulterated and dangerously potent strains of psychoactive substances.
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“They are not regulated pharmaceutical preparations but life-threatening drugs disguised to mislead the public,” the statement read in part.
Speaking on the development, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), said criminal networks were exploiting global conversations about medical marijuana to push illicit and deadly products into Nigerian communities.
“The criminal elements behind this deceit are only exploiting the global conversation around medicinal cannabis to push their illicit and life-destroying products into our communities,” Marwa said.
He warned that cannabis remains a prohibited substance under Nigerian law and that any product marketed locally under the guise of medicinal cannabis is both illegal and unsafe.
Marwa urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and to report anyone involved in the sale or distribution of such substances to the nearest NDLEA office.
“Do not be deceived by misleading labels, fancy packaging, or false health claims. Please do not consume it.
“Report any person or group involved in the illicit trade of these dangerous substances to the NDLEA,” he added.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and dismantling drug syndicates across the country.
