NDLEA Uncovers Fake Medicinal Cannabis Syndicate in Lagos, Warns Nigerians Against Deadly Psychoactive Products
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has sounded a major public health alarm after uncovering a criminal operation in Lagos that was packaging and selling highly dangerous psychoactive cannabis variants to unsuspecting Nigerians as “medicinal cannabis”.
The agency said it had arrested a 28-year-old suspected kingpin, identified as Afeez Salisu, popularly known as Malu, on Saturday, 1 November 2025, at 2 Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, in the Mushin area of Lagos.
According to the NDLEA, the arrest followed credible intelligence regarding the circulation and distribution of strange cannabis products in designer pouches and cups bearing misleading pharmaceutical-style labelling.
During the operation, officers recovered 16.4 kilogrammes of synthetic and highly potent cannabis strains including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud and Ghana Loud — all packaged and strategically labelled to deceive the public into believing they were regulated medicinal cannabis.
NDLEA warned that none of the seized items qualifies as medicinal cannabis under any legal or regulated framework.
“These are adulterated, extremely potent psychoactive substances with severe adverse effects,” the agency stated, adding that the syndicate behind the operation was simply exploiting global conversations on medical marijuana to push illicit drugs into the Nigerian market.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the seized cannabis strains contain dangerously high concentrations of psychedelic compounds that have been linked to psychosis, hallucinations, acute paranoia and long-term cognitive impairment – especially in young people who are the primary targets of such products.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), in reacting to the discovery, condemned the criminal network involved in the subterfuge.
“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 stressed that cannabis remains prohibited in Nigeria, and any product being sold locally under the tag “medicinal cannabis” is fake, dangerous and illegal.
The NDLEA boss urged the general public – particularly the youth – to be circumspect, not to fall for fancy packaging or persuasive wording, and to immediately report any suspicious activity or persons engaged in the distribution of such psychoactive substances.
“Please do not consume it. Report any person or group involved in the illicit trade of these dangerous substances to the nearest NDLEA office,” Marwa added.
The agency has also disclosed that further investigations are ongoing to uncover the broader network and supply chain behind the fake medicinal cannabis racket, with more arrests expected.
With the rising trend of deceptively packaged cannabis products disguised as wellness supplements, the NDLEA is reinforcing that Nigerians must be wary, as the consequences of ingestion are dangerous and potentially irreversible.
The agency reiterated that it remains committed to protecting public health, dismantling drug networks, and preventing harmful substances from gaining further foothold in Nigerian communities.
