Crime Watch
NDLEA Arrests 28-Year-Old Over Fake ‘Medicinal Cannabis’ in Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a public warning to Nigerians over the circulation of dangerous illicit drugs falsely marketed as “medicinal cannabis.”
According to a statement released on Wednesday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, credible intelligence led to the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect, Afeez Salisu (a.k.a Malu), on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 2 Akala Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos.
Babafemi said the suspect was allegedly packaging and distributing synthetic and high-potency cannabis strains in designer pouches and cups labeled as medicinal 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 stated.
“A total of 16.4 kilograms of dangerous and synthetic strains of cannabis, including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud packaged in designer pouches and cups labelled as medicinal cannabis, were recovered from his store,” he added.
The NDLEA clarified that the seized products, though branded as medicinal, are actually highly potent psychoactive substances that pose serious mental health risks.
“The Agency therefore 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, and are not the regulated, safe pharmaceutical preparations they are purported to be,” Babafemi warned.
He further explained that investigations revealed the products contained dangerously high concentrations of illicit cannabis strains linked to severe psychological and physical health effects, including psychosis, paranoia, and long-term cognitive impairments.
The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), also condemned the deception, stressing that cannabis remains prohibited 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 as such, any product being sold locally under the guise of ‘medicinal cannabis’ is not only fake but also dangerous and illegal,” Marwa said.
He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to avoid such substances and report anyone involved in the distribution of fake medicinal cannabis products 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,” Marwa added.
The NDLEA’s latest alert follows a growing trend of arrests involving substances marketed as wellness or therapeutic products, despite the fact that no medicinal cannabis product is currently approved for sale or use in Nigeria.
