The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians against accepting consignments from relatives and friends abroad without knowing the full contents, following an emerging trend of illicit drugs being concealed in consolidated cargoes.
The warning was issued by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a post on his official X handle on Sunday.
Babafemi said some Nigerians living abroad were allegedly sending consolidated cargoes containing illicit drugs, particularly strains of cannabis known as Colorado and Loud, to family members and friends in Nigeria.
According to him, unsuspecting recipients are being listed as consignees or recipients of the consignments, potentially exposing them to arrest and prosecution.
“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,” Babafemi said.
He urged Nigerians who are not involved in drug trafficking syndicates to avoid accepting consignments on behalf of people abroad, particularly where they are uncertain about the contents.
“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,” he said.
Babafemi said several Nigerians had already been arrested in connection with such consignments, warning that the number of arrests was increasing as NDLEA operatives intensify daily enforcement operations.
He urged Nigerians to exercise caution and avoid situations that could expose them to criminal liability for drugs allegedly concealed in packages sent by others.
“Many are already behind bars for this and the number keeps increasing with daily operations by NDLEA officers,” he said.
The NDLEA spokesman urged Nigerians to heed the warning, stressing the potential consequences of accepting unknown consignments.
“Please heed this warning and save yourself of the jail experience,” he added.
