NDLEA raises alarm over online drug sales

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised the alarm over online drug sales in the country.

It described the trend as a new dimension in the drug abuse problem in the country.

Kwara State commander of the NDLEA, Ibrahim Mohammed, stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 2023 International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) organised by the state chapter in Ilorin on Tuesday.

He said the menace is a phenomenon common among the youth.

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“We call it darknet where drugs are being sold online without the seller and the buyer knowing each other. All they need is contact and they make the call and the substance is delivered.

“It’s very common here now. What we have been doing is to see how to intercept them, especially the waybill coming from neighbouring states through some commercial vehicles.

“We have intensified our patrol system around the state. We are gathering intelligence and we are making very good use of it. We have intercepted quite a number of them through control delivery.

“We know as the yuletide period is approaching, a lot of such would be happening,” he said.

The NDLEA boss said the prevalence of drug use, drug abuse, and drug addiction had led to an increasing crime rate in society.

He added that there is no crime without a drug undertone.

He suggested some protective factors against the menace such as family harmony and bonding, affection and love for family members, and proactive and positive parenting.

He advised that parents should not be judgemental but ensure effective monitoring of their children, among others.

Also speaking, the state chairperson of FIDA, Gloria Okoduwa, said phones have taken children away from many parents, adding that family discussion had now been neglected.

She announced plans by the FIDA to take the campaign against drug abuse and its effects to major markets and other public places in the state to drive down the message.