By Opeyemi Adelakun
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has thwarted fresh attempts by international drug traffickers to smuggle cocaine to China and Italy after discovering the illicit substances hidden inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack.
The agency disclosed that the seizures were made during separate anti-narcotics operations as officers intensified surveillance on outbound consignments linked to international drug trafficking networks.
According to the NDLEA, one shipment concealed cocaine inside a locally made wooden mortar commonly used in Nigerian homes for pounding yam and grains. The consignment was intercepted before it could be exported to China.
In another operation, operatives uncovered cocaine hidden in the false bottom of a backpack that had been packed among lace materials and prepared for shipment to Italy.
Confirming the interceptions, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said traffickers continue to devise new methods to evade security checks but assured that the NDLEA remains vigilant.
“Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.
“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”
Babafemi used the latest discoveries to caution Nigerians against accepting parcels from unknown persons or agreeing to transport packages whose contents they cannot verify.
He emphasised that under Nigeria’s drug laws, anyone found in possession of illicit substances could be held legally responsible, regardless of whether they claimed ignorance of the contents.
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