The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged parents to closely monitor the snacks consumed by their children following the seizure of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies allegedly smuggled into Nigeria.
The agency raised the alarm after recent interceptions revealed that illicit substances were being packaged to resemble ordinary snacks, making them difficult to distinguish from regular confectionery products.
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, warned parents to pay particular attention if their children show unusual interest in cookies and gummies.
He said some of the seized products were labelled as “Delta-8 Gummies” and came in colourful packaging with flavours such as Hawaiian Rain Pineapple Guava and Thai Mango.
The warning followed a major seizure by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
Customs officers reportedly intercepted two 40-foot containers carrying large quantities of cannabis-infused products concealed among legitimate imports, including used vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.
The consignment contained thousands of Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies, cannabis-infused gummies and other cannabis-infused cookies, with an estimated street value of about ₦373.8 million.
The seized items were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for further action.
According to the agency, the products originated from the United States and were deliberately packaged to resemble attractive vegan snacks.
Officials expressed concern that the colourful packaging and appealing flavours could particularly attract children, students and young people, increasing the risk of accidental consumption of concentrated cannabis products.
The NDLEA therefore advised parents, schools and other caregivers to remain vigilant and carefully check unfamiliar snacks brought into homes or consumed by children.
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