The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a public warning over the circulation of dangerous illicit drugs being falsely packaged and sold as medicinal cannabis in Lagos.

According to the agency, credible intelligence led to the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect, Afeez Salisu, popularly known as Malu, on November 1, 2025, at 2 Akala Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos, where he was allegedly packaging and distributing synthetic cannabis in designer pouches and cups labelled as medicinal products.

In a statement released on Wednesday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, operatives recovered 16.4 kilograms of substances identified as Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud all high-potency and synthetic strains of cannabis.

“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has alerted the Nigerian public about the circulation of dangerous illicit substances being falsely packaged and marketed to the public as medicinal cannabis,” Babafemi said.

He explained that investigations revealed the seized products were not legitimate pharmaceutical preparations but highly potent psychoactive drugs capable of causing severe mental and physical health problems.

“These so-called medicinal products are, in reality, adulterated and dangerously potent strains of psychoactive substances. They are not safe, regulated, or approved medicinal cannabis,” Babafemi added.

The NDLEA warned that the fake products, which are being marketed under various wellness and therapeutic labels, contain dangerously high concentrations of banned substances associated with psychosis, paranoia, acute anxiety, and long-term cognitive impairments, especially among young users.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), said criminal elements were exploiting growing global interest in medicinal cannabis to sell illegal drugs in Nigeria.

“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. Cannabis remains a prohibited substance in Nigeria, and any product being sold locally under that guise is fake, dangerous, and illegal,” Marwa stated.

He urged Nigerians particularly young people not to be deceived by the packaging or health claims of such products and to report any individuals involved in the trade to the nearest NDLEA office.

“Please do not consume it. Report any person or group involved in the illicit trade of these dangerous substances to the nearest NDLEA office,” he warned.

The agency’s latest alert follows a series of arrests involving substances falsely marketed as therapeutic or wellness products, despite the fact that no medicinal cannabis product has been approved for sale or use in Nigeria.