By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
PUBLIC HEALTH authorities in Nigeria have been alerted to the circulation of illicit substances falsely branded and marketed as medicinal cannabis following a major enforcement operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
The agency disclosed that credible intelligence led to the arrest of a 28-year-old suspected drug kingpin, identified as Afeez Salisu, also known as Malu, on Saturday, 1 November 2025, at his residence located at 2 Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos.
According to the NDLEA, Salisu was at the centre of an illegal distribution network packaging and marketing synthetic cannabis products in designer pouches and cups under the misleading label of “medicinal cannabis.”
During the operation, officers recovered a total of 16.4 kilograms of dangerous synthetic strains, including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud.
These were packaged in branded designer containers to mimic legitimate pharmaceutical preparations.
The NDLEA stated that the products being circulated under the guise of therapeutic cannabis are, in fact, adulterated, highly potent, and illegal psychoactive substances with severe health risks.
In an official statement released by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA cautioned Nigerians, particularly young people, against purchasing or consuming products marketed as medicinal cannabis without regulatory approval.
“The Agency wishes to warn Nigerians, especially the youth, that these so-called medicinal products are in reality adulterated and highly potent strains of dangerous psychoactive substances.
“They are not the regulated, safe pharmaceutical preparations they are purported to be,” the statement said.
The NDLEA confirmed that laboratory analysis of the seized products revealed dangerously high concentrations of illicit cannabis variants.
These include Loud, a strain associated with extreme potency and severe psychological effects; Arizona, known for its destructive concentration and impact on mental health; and Colorado, often synthetic and linked to devastating consequences on both mental and physical wellbeing.
The agency explained that these substances are being deceptively marketed to exploit growing global discussions around the medical use of cannabis.
However, NDLEA reiterated that such use remains strictly prohibited in Nigeria.
“Rather than medicinal cannabis, the seized products are highly addictive and pose an immediate and serious threat to public health,” the statement added.
“They are associated with severe mental health issues including psychosis, acute anxiety, paranoia, and long-term cognitive impairment, particularly among young people.”
Speaking further on the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), condemned the criminal exploitation of public interest in medicinal cannabis for illicit gain.
“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 emphasised that cannabis remains a prohibited substance under Nigerian law and warned that any product sold locally under the guise of medicinal cannabis is both fake and illegal.
“Cannabis remains a prohibited substance in Nigeria and as such, any product being sold locally under the guise of ‘medicinal cannabis’ is not only fake and dangerous but also illegal,” he stated.
Marwa further urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and not be deceived by misleading labels, attractive packaging, or false claims suggesting health benefits. He appealed to the public to report any person or group involved in the illicit sale or distribution of such substances.
“The public is advised not to consume these products and to report anyone engaged in this illicit trade to the nearest NDLEA office. Together, we can prevent the spread of these dangerous drugs and protect our youth from harm,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA assured that its enforcement operations will continue across the country, focusing on dismantling criminal networks and intercepting illegal drug consignments.
The agency reiterated its commitment to maintaining a drug-free society through strict monitoring, intelligence-led operations, and sustained public awareness campaigns.
According to the statement, the ongoing investigation will trace the distribution network and possible foreign connections linked to the fake medicinal cannabis syndicate. NDLEA’s forensic and operations teams are also collaborating to identify similar deceptive products currently circulating in Nigerian markets.
The agency reminded the public that all legitimate medicinal or therapeutic products in Nigeria must be duly approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Any substance not certified by NAFDAC or other authorised regulatory bodies, it warned, constitutes a breach of national drug control laws and poses grave risks to human health.
The NDLEA reiterated its zero-tolerance stance towards drug trafficking, fake medicinal substances, and all forms of drug abuse, reaffirming that enforcement measures will remain uncompromising.
Marwa reaffirmed that the agency’s anti-drug efforts are driven by the broader goal of safeguarding national health security and protecting Nigeria’s youth from the dangers of addiction and psychoactive substance abuse.
“The NDLEA will continue to take decisive action against individuals or groups engaged in drug trafficking, production, or sale of dangerous substances. This remains essential for the protection of our people and the stability of our nation,” he declared.
The agency also urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to engage young people in conversations about the dangers of substance abuse and to discourage the growing curiosity around products mislabelled as “safe” or “medicinal.”
The NDLEA noted that its collaboration with national and international partners continues to strengthen, especially in the areas of intelligence sharing, interdiction, and rehabilitation support. It expressed confidence that public vigilance and inter-agency cooperation will help curb the proliferation of synthetic drugs and fake medicinal cannabis in Nigeria.
The agency reiterated that it will not relent in identifying and prosecuting all those involved in the illegal drug trade, stressing that Nigeria’s drug laws are designed to protect citizens from substances that destroy lives and communities.
