The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has cautioned Nigerians against receiving packages from relatives, friends or associates abroad without first confirming what the consignments contain.
The warning follows a reported increase in cases where illicit drugs are allegedly concealed in consolidated cargo shipped into Nigeria, leaving unsuspecting recipients exposed to arrest and prosecution.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, issued the warning in a post on his official X account on Sunday.
Babafemi said some Nigerians living overseas were allegedly sending consolidated shipments containing illicit cannabis strains, including Colorado and Loud, while listing family members and friends in Nigeria as the recipients.
According to him, some of those listed as consignees may have no knowledge that illegal substances were hidden in the packages, but could still face legal consequences when the consignments are intercepted.
He therefore advised Nigerians to decline requests to receive packages on behalf of people abroad when they are not certain of the contents.
Babafemi said several people had already been arrested over such consignments, adding that the number of arrests was increasing as NDLEA operatives continued their daily enforcement operations.
He urged members of the public to exercise caution and avoid accepting responsibility for packages whose contents they have not verified.
The NDLEA spokesman warned that ignorance of the contents of a consignment may not prevent recipients from facing the consequences of drugs found in packages delivered to them.
He appealed to Nigerians to take the warning seriously to avoid unnecessary arrest, prosecution and possible imprisonment.
