ChatGPT said:
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised alarm over the spread of dangerous illicit drugs being deceptively packaged and sold as medicinal cannabis across Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the agency, the alert followed credible intelligence that led to the arrest of a 28-year-old drug kingpin on Nov. 1 at 2 Akala Street, off Umoru Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos.
The NDLEA explained that the suspect operated from an enclave where he packaged and distributed fake medicinal cannabis in designer pouches and cups.
A total of 16.4 kilograms of synthetic and highly potent cannabis strains were seized from his store, including Colorado, Arizona, Canadian Loud, and Ghana Loud — all deceptively labelled as medicinal cannabis.
“The Agency warns Nigerians, especially young people, that these so-called medicinal products are in fact dangerous and adulterated psychoactive substances, not legitimate pharmaceutical preparations,” the statement read.
Investigations revealed that the confiscated substances contained extremely potent and harmful cannabis variants such as Loud and Colorado, known to trigger severe psychological and physical effects.
“These strains are highly addictive and pose an immediate public health risk, causing mental health disorders such as psychosis, paranoia, and long-term cognitive decline,” the NDLEA stated.
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, condemned the syndicate’s actions, saying the perpetrators were exploiting the global conversation around medicinal cannabis to circulate harmful drugs in Nigerian communities.
He reiterated that cannabis remains a banned substance in the country, warning that any product marketed locally as “medicinal cannabis” is both fake and illegal.
Marwa urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report anyone involved in the sale or distribution of such substances to the nearest NDLEA office, stressing that public cooperation is vital to safeguarding communities from the dangers of drug abuse.