Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has cautioned Nigerians against collecting or receiving consolidated consignments from relatives, friends or associates abroad without knowing exactly what the packages contain.
The agency warned that some Nigerians overseas are allegedly using consolidated cargoes to send illicit drugs into the country while listing unsuspecting family members and friends as consignees.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, issued the warning in a post on X on Sunday, urging Nigerians to exercise caution before agreeing to receive packages on behalf of people abroad.
According to Babafemi, substances identified as Colorado and Loud, both strains of cannabis, have been discovered in some of the consignments.
He said recipients who have no knowledge of the contents could still face arrest and prosecution if illegal drugs are found in packages bearing their names.
Babafemi wrote, “RED ALERT! The new thing now is that some of our ‘abroad’ people are sending home consolidated cargoes contaminated with illicit drugs especially Colorado and Loud, putting their family members and friends as consignees or recipients.”
He advised Nigerians who were not involved in drug trafficking to decline requests to receive consignments where the contents were unknown.
He added, “The warning here is, if you’re not part of the syndicate, don’t accept to receive consignments on behalf of your ‘abroad’ brother or sister or friend particularly if you don’t know the full content of the consignment.”
Babafemi further warned that several people had already been arrested in similar circumstances, noting that NDLEA operatives continued to uncover such consignments during their operations.
“Many are already behind bars for this and the number keeps increasing with daily operations by @ndlea_nigeria officers. Please heed this warning and save yourself of the jail experience,” he said.
The warning was accompanied by video footage showing NDLEA operatives opening large black plastic-wrapped packages on a metal table.
The footage showed clear plastic bags containing yellowish, lumpy substances suspected to be cannabis products being removed from the consignments.
The latest warning comes as the NDLEA continues its efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks and prevent illicit substances from being brought into Nigeria through various routes.