NDLEA warns Nigerians as traffickers hide cocaine in mortar, backpack
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA
Abdullateef Fowewe
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has raised the alarm over a fresh smuggling trend in which traffickers conceal cocaine in ordinary household and travel items bound for overseas destinations.
The agency said one shipment was hidden inside a traditional wooden mortar headed to China, while another was tucked into the false bottom of a backpack packed with lace materials for Italy.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a Sunday statement, warning Nigerians to be careful about parcels they agree to deliver.
“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!” he said.
Babafemi explained that traffickers are increasingly repurposing common local items to move drugs on international routes from Nigeria.
He noted that the mortar, a wooden tool used for pounding yam or grains, was used to hide a cocaine consignment, underscoring how concealed the shipments can be.
He also warned that anyone caught with such parcels could face legal consequences, even if they claim they do not own the items, stressing that “possession” is the key issue.
