NDLEA warns Nigerians against receiving unknown cargoes from abroad

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a warning to Nigerians against receiving unopened shipments from abroad. The agency claims that some of these shipments may contain illicit drugs such as Colorado and Loud. These drugs are being mixed with other substances and sent to family members and friends in Nigeria, who are listed as consignees or recipients.

Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, made this announcement on X. He advised recipients to be cautious, as those who are not part of the drug syndicate could face arrest and prosecution if the consignments are found to contain illicit drugs.

In a recent operation, police arrested 16 suspects in Delta state, recovering guns and a stolen car. The NDLEA has also repatriated a wanted drug suspect from the Benin Republic. A 70-year-old woman accused of cocaine trafficking was granted N150 million bail.

Babafemi urged people not to accept shipments on behalf of their relatives or friends abroad unless they are fully aware of the contents. Many individuals have already been jailed for this offense, and the number continues to rise with ongoing operations by the NDLEA.

The warning was supported by video footage showing agency operatives unpacking large black plastic-wrapped packages on a metal table. Inside the packages, clear plastic bags containing yellowish, lumpy substances were found, which were identified as cannabis products. This alert follows several recent NDLEA operations aimed at disrupting international drug trafficking routes into Nigeria.