The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a warning to travelers, advising them not to carry unknown bags or luggage while traveling.
This warning comes after a recent incident where a suspect was arrested at an airport for attempting to smuggle drugs, claiming the bag didn’t belong to him.
“You might unknowingly carry prohibited substances, like drugs, which can lead to serious consequences, including imprisonment and fines”.”You could be framed by someone who hands you a bag with contraband without your knowledge” he warned.
The NDLEA uncovered a cartel that specialized in planting illicit drugs in travelers’ luggage at the airport.
In one case, a Nigerian lady named Zainab Aliyu was arrested with a tramadol-bearing luggage that she claimed wasn’t hers.
The NDLEA has foiled several attempts to smuggle drugs out of the country, including a recent case where three suspects were intercepted with 6kg of hard drugs at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja ² ³.
“Never accept a bag or luggage from someone you don’t know well or trust”. “Always check your luggage thoroughly before traveling to ensure you know what’s inside”. ” If you suspect someone is trying to frame you or smuggle contraband, report it to the authorities immediately” he advised.