The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a public alert over the circulation of dangerous illicit substances being falsely marketed as medicinal cannabis.
In a statement on Wednesday, the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the warning followed credible intelligence that led to the arrest of 28-year-old drug kingpin, Afeez Salisu, also known as “Malu,” last Saturday.
He said that the arrest took place at his residence at 2 Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos State, where he was allegedly packaging and distributing fake medicinal cannabis in designer pouches and cups.
Babafemi revealed that law enforcement officials recovered a total of 16.4 kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, including strains labeled as Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud.
He added that the products were disguised as medicinal products but were, in reality, highly dangerous.
“The Agency wishes to warn Nigerians, especially the youth, that these so-called medicinal cannabis products are adulterated and highly potent psychoactive substances.
”They are not the regulated, safe pharmaceutical preparations they are purported to be,” Babafemi said.
He explained that investigations confirmed the seized products contain dangerously high concentrations of harmful cannabis strains.
”These include Loud, known for extreme potency and severe psychological effects; Arizona, a highly concentrated and destructive variant; and Colorado, a potent synthetic strain with serious mental and physical health consequences, ” he said.
Babafemi also emphasised the public health risk posed by these substances, stating: “these strains are highly addictive and pose a significant, immediate threat because they are associated with severe mental health issues, including psychosis, acute anxiety, paranoia, and long-term cognitive impairments, particularly among young people.”
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), condemned the perpetrators, saying they were exploiting global discussions around medicinal cannabis to distribute illicit, life-threatening products.
“Cannabis remains a prohibited substance in Nigeria. Any product sold locally as ‘medicinal cannabis’ is fake, dangerous, and illegal,” Marwa said.
He urged Nigerians to exercise vigilance and not be misled by flashy packaging or false health claims.
“Do not consume these products. Report anyone involved in their sale to the nearest NDLEA office immediately,” the NDLEA boss added.
