NDLEA Warns Parents Over Cannabis-Infused Cookies and Gummies Hidden Among Imports

NDLEA Warns Parents Over Cannabis-Infused Cookies and Gummies Hidden Among Imports

NDLEA warns Nigerian parents to monitor children who frequently consume cookies and gummies after authorities seized cannabis-infused Delta-8 products worth about ₦373.8 million in Lagos.

NDLEA Raises Alarm Over Cannabis-Infused Cookies and Gummies

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned parents and guardians across Nigeria to pay closer attention to the snacks and confectionery products consumed by children and young people following the seizure of cannabis-infused cookies, gummies and other prohibited products at a Lagos port.

The agency said criminal networks may be attempting to introduce illicit substances into Nigeria through products designed to resemble ordinary snacks.

The warning has raised concerns about the growing use of attractive food packaging to conceal cannabis-derived substances, particularly products that could easily be mistaken for conventional sweets, cookies or gummies.

According to the NDLEA, parents should not assume that colourful packaging or familiar-looking confectionery products are necessarily harmless, especially when such items have been obtained from questionable sources.

The agency's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, issued the warning in a statement shared on Sunday.

Babafemi urged parents to be more observant if their children frequently request or consume certain cookies and gummies, particularly products whose origin and ingredients are unclear.

«“As parents, if your kids and young ones always crave for cookies and gummies, you may have to pay a little more attention.”»

The statement was accompanied by images showing packages labelled “Cookies Delta 8 Gummies”, with flavours including Hawaiian Rain Pineapple Guava and Thai Mango.

The products were presented in colourful packaging and described as vegan and hemp-derived, characteristics that officials said could make them appear similar to ordinary commercial snacks.

₦373.8 Million Cannabis-Infused Products Seized in Lagos

The NDLEA warning followed a major interception involving the Nigeria Customs Service at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

Customs officers reportedly intercepted two 40-foot containers containing large quantities of cannabis-infused products.

The prohibited items were allegedly concealed among legitimate imports, including used vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.

The discovery highlights the challenges faced by Nigerian authorities in preventing illicit substances from entering the country through legitimate commercial channels.

According to the information released by authorities, the seized consignment included thousands of Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies, cannabis-infused gummies and other cannabis-containing cookies.

The combined estimated street value of the seized products was put at approximately ₦373.8 million.

Following the interception, the seized items were handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and appropriate action.

The seizure has also prompted renewed attention to the ways criminal organisations may be changing their methods of transporting and distributing prohibited substances.

What Are Delta-8 Gummies and Cannabis-Infused Cookies?

Delta-8 products are cannabis-derived products containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive cannabinoid.

Unlike conventional sweets and snacks, cannabis-infused edibles can contain substances capable of producing intoxicating effects.

The concern for parents and authorities is heightened when these products are packaged to look like everyday food items.

A child who does not know what a product contains could potentially consume it without understanding the consequences.

Edibles can also create additional risks because their effects may not be immediately obvious after consumption. This means an individual could consume a product believing it to be an ordinary snack and later experience unwanted effects.

For this reason, parents and guardians are being encouraged to pay attention to unfamiliar food products entering their homes.

Why the Packaging Has Raised Concern

One of the major concerns highlighted by authorities is the appearance of some cannabis-infused products.

The seized packages reportedly featured colourful designs, flavour names and descriptions commonly associated with ordinary confectionery products.

Such presentation can make illicit products more attractive to young people while potentially making it harder for an unsuspecting parent or child to immediately recognise their contents.

The concern becomes particularly serious when products are sold or distributed without adequate information about their ingredients, origin or intended use.

Parents should therefore be cautious about snacks purchased from unverified online sellers, informal vendors or unknown sources.

They should also check product labels carefully and avoid allowing children to consume food products when the packaging, ingredients or source cannot be verified.

NDLEA Warns Parents to Pay Attention

The latest warning from the NDLEA is particularly directed at parents and guardians because children and teenagers may not recognise the difference between ordinary sweets and cannabis-infused edibles.

The agency's message is not simply about restricting snacks. It is about encouraging parents to understand what children are consuming.

Parents can take several practical steps to reduce the risk of accidental exposure.

These include checking unfamiliar products before allowing children to consume them, examining packaging and ingredient labels, asking where a product was purchased and being cautious about snacks obtained through unknown channels.

Parents should also speak openly with children about the dangers of accepting food, sweets or other consumable products from strangers.

Cannabis Edibles Can Be Difficult to Identify

Unlike cannabis in its traditional plant form, infused cookies and gummies may not immediately look like drugs.

This creates a significant challenge for parents, teachers and even young people themselves.

A conventional-looking cookie can contain an active cannabis compound, while a colourful gummy can resemble the same type of confectionery sold in supermarkets.

That is why awareness is important.

Parents should avoid relying solely on a product's appearance when determining whether it is safe.

A product that looks like a sweet or snack may contain ingredients that are inappropriate or dangerous for children.

What Parents Should Do

Parents and guardians can take simple precautions to protect children from accidental exposure to cannabis-infused food products.

1. Check unfamiliar snacks

Before giving a child an unfamiliar cookie, gummy or confectionery product, examine its packaging and ingredients.

2. Know where food products come from

Be cautious about snacks purchased through unknown online sellers, informal markets or unverified individuals.

3. Talk to children

Children should be taught not to accept sweets, gummies, cookies or other food products from unknown people without first consulting a trusted adult.

4. Store suspicious products safely

If a parent encounters a product suspected to contain an illicit substance, children should be kept away from it and the product should not be casually handled or consumed.

5. Seek professional assistance if accidental consumption is suspected

If a child or another person accidentally consumes a product suspected to contain cannabis or another prohibited substance, parents should seek urgent medical assistance rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.

Authorities Step Up Efforts Against Drug Trafficking

The seizure at Tin Can Island Port demonstrates the importance of cooperation between agencies involved in border control and drug enforcement.

The Nigeria Customs Service plays a key role in examining imports entering the country, while the NDLEA is responsible for combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse.

The interception of the containers reportedly followed checks that uncovered prohibited products hidden among legitimate goods.

Such seizures can help prevent illicit substances from reaching markets and communities.

However, enforcement alone may not be enough.

Public awareness remains important because traffickers can continue to change the appearance, packaging and distribution methods used for prohibited substances.

A Growing Concern for Parents and Young People

The emergence of cannabis-infused confectionery presents a different challenge from traditional drug trafficking.

Products that resemble familiar foods can potentially make it more difficult for parents and young people to identify them.

The attractive appearance of some products may also increase their appeal among teenagers and young adults.

Authorities therefore want parents, schools and communities to remain vigilant.

The objective is not to create unnecessary fear around ordinary food products but to encourage consumers to know what they are buying and consuming.

Parents should pay particular attention to products with unclear labelling, suspicious packaging or unknown origins.

What Makes Accidental Consumption Dangerous?

The main concern with accidental consumption is that the person eating the product may not know that it contains a psychoactive substance.

Children are particularly vulnerable because they may mistake cannabis-infused sweets for normal confectionery.

Possible effects of consuming THC-containing products can include altered perception, drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, anxiety and other unwanted reactions. The severity can vary depending on the product and amount consumed, among other factors.

Anyone who suspects that a child has consumed a cannabis-infused product should seek appropriate medical advice promptly.

Parents should also avoid attempting to treat a suspected poisoning at home without professional guidance.

NDLEA's Message to Nigerians

The latest seizure serves as a reminder that drug trafficking is no longer limited to conventional methods of concealing substances.

Illicit products can be disguised as food, packaged as ordinary consumer goods and transported alongside legitimate imports.

The NDLEA's warning therefore places responsibility not only on enforcement agencies but also on parents, schools, businesses and consumers.

Greater awareness can make it more difficult for dangerous products to reach vulnerable members of society.

For parents, the most important message is simple: know what your children are consuming and where those products came from.

The seizure of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies valued at an estimated ₦373.8 million has triggered a fresh warning from the NDLEA about the changing methods used to smuggle prohibited substances into Nigeria.

The products reportedly entered the country concealed among legitimate imports and were packaged in ways that could make them resemble ordinary snacks.

The development has prompted authorities to urge parents and guardians to pay closer attention to unfamiliar cookies, gummies and other confectionery products consumed by children and young people.

As Nigerian authorities continue efforts to stop illicit drugs from entering the country, public awareness remains an important part of the response.

Parents should carefully check unfamiliar products, educate children about accepting food from unknown sources and seek professional medical assistance if accidental consumption of a suspected cannabis-infused product occurs.

The NDLEA's warning ultimately highlights a broader concern: a product that looks like an ordinary snack may not always be what it appears to be.

FAQ.....

Are cannabis-infused gummies the same as ordinary sweets?

No. Cannabis-infused gummies may contain cannabinoids such as THC and can produce psychoactive effects. They should not be treated as ordinary confectionery.

Why is the NDLEA warning parents?

The agency is concerned that some cannabis-infused products are packaged to resemble ordinary cookies and gummies, creating a risk of accidental consumption, particularly among children and young people.

Where were the seized products discovered?

The products were intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos before being handed over to the NDLEA.

How much were the seized products worth?

Authorities estimated the combined street value of the seized cannabis-infused products at approximately ₦373.8 million.

What should parents do if a child may have consumed a cannabis-infused product?

Parents should seek appropriate medical assistance promptly and provide healthcare professionals with any available information about the product and packaging.

How can parents reduce the risk of accidental consumption?

Parents can check unfamiliar products, verify where they were purchased, examine labels and teach children not to accept unknown food products without consulting a trusted adult.