The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has cautioned Nigerians against accepting cargo consignments on behalf of persons abroad.
The alert issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, via his verified X account warning that designated receivers bear full criminal liability for any illicit substances found in such packages, even when they claim ignorance of the contents.
He disclosed a fresh drug haul in which NDLEA operatives intercepted illicit substances concealed inside imported snacks.
Babafemi said criminal syndicates operating from overseas routinely exploit family members and close associates as unwitting or complicit consignees to receive drug-laden shipments from courier companies on their behalf.
“When you’re arrested with the consignment here as the designated receiver of the goods, you bear the criminal liability of possession and conspiracy with jail as the end,” he wrote.
He urged Nigerians to insist on a recorded video call at the point of packaging before agreeing to collect any international shipment, adding that where this was not possible, the parcel should be refused outright regardless of financial or other inducements offered.
“If you’re not part of the criminal conspiracy, don’t accept to receive parcels that you don’t know their full contents,” Babafemi stated.
