The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has sounded a fresh warning over what it describes as increasingly sophisticated tactics being employed by drug syndicates, revealing that traffickers are now concealing illicit substances in everyday items such as cookies, gummies and even phone chargers.

The agency said recent operations uncovered attempts by criminal networks to disguise narcotics as harmless consumer products, a trend it believes poses a growing threat to public safety, particularly among young people who may unknowingly be exposed to drug-laced items.

NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, drew attention to the development in a message shared on his official X account, where he urged parents and guardians to be more vigilant about products consumed by their children.

According to him, intelligence gathered from recent seizures indicates that traffickers are increasingly packaging illicit substances in colourful and attractive forms designed to resemble ordinary snacks and confectioneries.

To illustrate the concern, Babafemi shared images of products branded as “Cookies Delta 8 Gummies,” packaged in bright, eye-catching wrappers and marketed with flavours such as Hawaiian Rain, Pineapple Guava and Thai Mango. He explained that the presentation was carefully crafted to make the products appear legitimate and appealing while concealing their true nature.

The warning comes amid growing concerns globally over the use of edible products as vehicles for distributing illicit substances, making detection more difficult for both consumers and law enforcement agencies.

In another revelation, the NDLEA spokesman disclosed that operatives recently intercepted consignments of cocaine hidden inside phone chargers in what authorities described as an attempt to evade security checks and smuggle the drugs out of the country.

The concealed narcotics were reportedly intended for shipment to Saudi Arabia before being detected and seized by anti-narcotics officers.

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Babafemi said the discovery highlights the lengths to which trafficking networks are willing to go in order to bypass security measures, noting that everyday objects are increasingly being converted into tools for drug smuggling.

He also used the opportunity to caution travellers against carrying parcels, luggage or packages on behalf of other individuals without thoroughly verifying their contents.

According to him, unsuspecting passengers often become targets for traffickers seeking to move illegal substances across borders while avoiding direct exposure to law enforcement.

The agency warned that accepting items from strangers or acquaintances without proper checks could have serious legal consequences, particularly when such items contain prohibited substances unknown to the carrier.

As trafficking methods continue to evolve, the NDLEA said public awareness remains a critical line of defence in the fight against drug-related crimes. The agency urged Nigerians to remain alert and report suspicious items or activities to relevant authorities.

With traffickers increasingly disguising narcotics as ordinary household and consumer products, officials say vigilance from parents, travellers and the wider public is becoming more important than ever in preventing the spread of illicit drugs and protecting vulnerable groups from exploitation.