Lagos, Nigeria, 23-24 June 2026
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), through its GRIDS Programme, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria, organized a two-day workshop to strengthen public-private partnerships aimed at preventing the trafficking of NPS and non-medical Synthetic Opioids through courier, postal, and logistics services.
The workshop brought together twenty (20) representatives from NDLEA, Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), courier and logistics operators, and e-commerce stakeholders. Participants discussed emerging trafficking trends, operational challenges, regulatory frameworks, and practical measures to prevent the misuse of legitimate courier and delivery services for trafficking (NPS, non-medical synthetic opioids, and other dangerous substances.
During the first day, participants reviewed emerging trafficking trends and discussed how criminal networks increasingly exploit courier and postal channels to transport illicit substances. Experts from the INCB GRIDS Programme, NDLEA, and NIPOST presented on trafficking trends, operational challenges, regulatory frameworks, and practical experiences in detecting suspicious shipments. The sessions also explored the role of e-commerce platforms in preventing the misuse of legitimate delivery networks.
The second day focused on private-sector responsibilities, good practices, and practical approaches to preventing the misuse of courier services. The event was an opportunity for public authorities and private-sector partners to exchange experiences, identify risks, and strengthen cooperation through information-sharing, risk-based screening, and enhanced due diligence measures. Participants also completed a public-private collaboration self-assessment exercise and developed a set of ten (10) recommendations to improve national responses to trafficking through couriers and postal channels. Among the key recommendations were the establishment of a permanent consultation mechanism between NDLEA and courier operators, and a regular sharing of risk alerts on emerging substances and concealment methods.
The workshop forms part of the INCB GRIDS Programme's ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation and support governments in addressing the trafficking of NPS, synthetic opioids and related substances through legitimate supply chains.
This event was made possible through generous support from the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (U.S. INL).
The Board's Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme operates under the International Narcotics Control Board's unique Article 35 (1961) treaty mandate that supports Governments' capabilities to exchange information on trafficking, illicit manufacture, marketing and sales of NPS, synthetic opioids, fentanyls and related chemicals, by providing real-time communication, and capabilities to facilitate information exchange and intelligence development with the aim to interdict distribution of dangerous substances.
Click here to learn more about the GRIDS Programme
Click here to learn more about the OPIOIDS Project
Click here to learn more about the Project ION
