The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has begun discussions with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to strengthen efforts against drug abuse and the emerging practice of infusing illicit and controlled substances into food products in Lagos State.
According to a statement, the General Manager/CEO of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, disclosed this during a strategic visit by a delegation of the agency to the Lagos State Command of the NDLEA.
The delegation met with the Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Commander Abubakar Wali, to explore areas of collaboration aimed at protecting consumers from products containing undisclosed harmful substances.
Solebo said closer cooperation among regulatory and enforcement agencies was necessary to tackle practices that expose consumers to harmful substances without their knowledge or consent.
He said although LASCOPA’s core mandate was to protect consumers and ensure that goods and services in the marketplace met acceptable standards, the agency had become increasingly concerned about reports of food products being laced with cannabis and other controlled substances.
According to him, the issue extends beyond drug control because deliberately introducing undisclosed substances into food products poses risks to consumer safety, public health and informed choice.
Solebo said collaboration with the NDLEA would enable both agencies to strengthen information sharing, improve case referrals and intensify public enlightenment campaigns on drug abuse and the dangers of consuming food products containing undisclosed substances.
Responding, Wali expressed the NDLEA’s readiness to explore areas of collaboration with LASCOPA to further protect the public.
