NDLEA alerts parents to drugs concealed in cookies, gummies

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged parents to be vigilant over their children’s consumption of cookies and gummies, warning that traffickers are increasingly concealing illicit substances in such products.

Femi Babafemi, the agency’s director of media and advocacy, raised the concern in a post shared on X on Sunday, citing recent seizures that point to growing attempts to disguise illegal drugs as confectionery.

“If your kids and young ones always crave cookies and gummies, you may have to pay a little more attention,” Babafemi said.

“There may be more to it than ordinary cookies and gummies, as one of the latest seizures by @ndlea_nigeria officers shows a desperate attempt by criminal elements to smuggle in illicit substances under the guise of cookies and gummies.”

Images accompanying the post showed colourful packs labelled “Cookies delta 8 gummies” in various flavours, including Hawaiian Rain, Pineapple Guava and Thai Mango.

In another post, Babafemi disclosed that NDLEA operatives also intercepted consignments of cocaine concealed in phone chargers bound for Saudi Arabia.

“In the surface value, these are phone chargers, but @ndlea_nigeria officers won’t fall for that. Concealed in there are consignments of cocaine going to Saudi Arabia,” he said.

He cautioned members of the public, particularly travellers, against carrying items or delivering parcels for others without proper verification, warning that drug traffickers are adopting increasingly deceptive methods.

The agency reiterated its call for heightened awareness as part of efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and protect vulnerable groups, especially young people.