Narcotics agency warns families following discovery of illicit substances in baked goods and candy-like treats

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is urging parents to keep a watchful eye on their children's desire for cookies and gummies, as some of these products may contain illicit substances being smuggled into the country.

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In a statement released on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed that recent seizures by the agency have uncovered attempts by criminals to disguise prohibited substances as ordinary snacks.

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Babafemi cautioned parents, saying that if their kids constantly crave cookies and gummies, they should be vigilant, as there may be more to it than just ordinary snacks, and shared images of seized packages to illustrate his point.

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The photos displayed colourful pouches of "Cookies Delta 8 Gummies" in various flavours, such as Hawaiian Rain Pineapple Guava and Thai Mango, which were labelled as vegan and hemp-derived, alongside the actual gummy products.

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The warning follows a significant seizure by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, where officers intercepted two 40-foot containers containing large quantities of cannabis-infused products.

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These products, which included thousands of Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies, packs of cannabis-infused gummies, and other cannabis-infused cookies, were concealed among legitimate imports like used vehicles, generators, batteries, and fabrics, with a combined estimated street value of about ₦373.8m.

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The seized items were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA, with officials describing the products, which originated from the United States, as an emerging public health threat due to their attractive packaging and appealing flavours.

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NDLEA officials noted that the packaging, designed to resemble ordinary vegan snacks, could particularly appeal to children, students, and young people, thereby increasing the risk of accidental consumption of concentrated cannabis.