The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a public advisory urging parents to closely monitor their children’s consumption of cookies and gummy candies, warning that drug trafficking networks are smuggling illicit cannabis-infused products disguised as commercial snacks into the country.

NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, issued the warning on Sunday while sharing images of recently seized items, highlighting that criminal syndicates are attempting to introduce prohibited narcotics into domestic markets using attractive, everyday consumer packaging.

The warning follows a major joint interception at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, where Nigeria Customs Service officers uncovered two 40-foot containers laden with thousands of packs of Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies, cannabis gummies, and related edibles.

The illicit consignment, imported from the United States, was concealed alongside legitimate goods including used vehicles, power generators, industrial batteries, and fabrics, with an estimated street value of N373.8 million before being handed over to the NDLEA.

Drug enforcement officials flagged the colorful, flavor-infused packaging as an emerging public health risk, warning that the enticing appearance poses severe dangers of accidental consumption or addiction among unsuspecting children, students, and young people.