NDLEA alerts on fake medicinal cannabis, arrests man
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alerted the Nigerian public about the circulation of dangerous illicit substances being falsely packaged and marketed as medicinal cannabis. This public alert follows credible intelligence that led to the arrest of a 28-year-old drug kingpin, Afeez Salisu (a.k.a Malu), on Saturday, November 1, 2025. Salisu was apprehended […]
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alerted the Nigerian public about the circulation of dangerous illicit substances being falsely packaged and marketed as medicinal cannabis.
This public alert follows credible intelligence that led to the arrest of a 28-year-old drug kingpin, Afeez Salisu (a.k.a Malu), on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Salisu was apprehended at his enclave at 2 Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, Mushin-Lagos, where he was packaging and distributing the fake medicinal cannabis in designer pouches and cups.
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.
A statement by Femi Babafemi, the Agency’s spokesperson, warned 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.
He said 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.
These strains, he said, included 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.
According to the statement, rather than offering medicinal relief, the strains hidden within the designer pouches and cups are highly addictive and pose a significant, immediate threat to public health and safety.
They are associated with severe mental health issues, including psychosis, acute anxiety, paranoia, and other long-term cognitive impairments, especially among young people.