LAGOS, NIGERIA — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alerted Nigerians to the circulation of dangerous illicit substances falsely packaged and sold as medicinal cannabis.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, the agency said 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, where he was allegedly packaging and distributing fake medicinal cannabis in designer pouches and cups.
A total of 16.4 kilograms of dangerous synthetic strains of cannabis, including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud, all falsely labeled as medicinal cannabis, were recovered from his store.
The agency warned that these so-called medicinal products are in fact adulterated, highly potent psychoactive substances and not regulated pharmaceutical preparations.
According to the statement, investigations confirmed that the seized products contained dangerously high concentrations of harmful cannabis variants known for extreme potency and severe psychological effects. These include Loud, associated with psychosis and paranoia; Arizona, a destructive strain; and Colorado, a synthetic variant with devastating physical and mental consequences.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), said criminal elements were exploiting the global discussion on medicinal cannabis to sell life-threatening substances.
“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. “Cannabis remains a prohibited substance in Nigeria, and any product being sold locally under the guise of ‘medicinal cannabis’ is not only fake and dangerous but also illegal.”
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report anyone involved in the illicit trade.
“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 added.
