The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the discovery of 16.4 kilograms of dangerous and synthetic strains of cannabis in the Mushin area of Lagos.
This follows the arrest of a 28-year-old drug kingpin, Afeez Salisu (a.k.a Malu), at his residence at 2, Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
According to a statement made available to ThelensNG by NDLEA‘s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Wednesday, the illicit drugs, including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud, were packaged in designer pouches and cups labelled as “medicinal cannabis”, and were recovered from Salisu’s store.
Babafemi alerted the Nigerian public about the circulation of dangerous illicit substances being falsely packaged and marketed as medicinal cannabis.
“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.
“Investigations by the Agency have confirmed that the seized and recovered products being peddled under the guise of therapeutic cannabis contain dangerously high concentrations of illicit and harmful strains of cannabis, including Loud, known for its extreme potency and severe psychological effects; Arizona, a highly concentrated and destructive variant of cannabis; and Colorado, a potent, often synthetic, strain with devastating consequences on the user’s mental and physical health.
“Rather than the purported medicinal cannabis in the designer pouches and cups, the strains are highly addictive and pose a significant, immediate threat to public health and safety because they are associated with severe mental health issues, including psychosis, acute anxiety, paranoia, and other long-term cognitive impairments, especially among young people,” the statement noted.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, stated that “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 affirmed that 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.
The NDLEA boss urged the public to be vigilant and not be deceived by misleading labels, fancy packaging, or false health claims.
“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.
