By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known online as “KC Luxury” alongside others in an international cocaine trafficking cartel allegedly using Nigeria as a transit hub for the movement of illicit drugs to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
The agency identified Afolabi as the Nigerian arrowhead of the cartel, while attempting to flee the country.
The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Lagos.
According to Marwa, the operation followed the interception of 184.50 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a consignment being processed for onward export through a courier logistics channel in Lagos.
He said the seizure, described as the largest cocaine seizure made through a courier company in Nigeria, prompted the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to trace the network behind the shipment.
Marwa said the cartel was hoping to realise as much as N39 billion from the consignment through its international distribution network.
Working with the management of the courier company involved, NDLEA operatives reportedly uncovered a network of intermediary companies and individuals used to process and facilitate the shipment, leading to the arrest of two key suspects, among others.
One of the suspects, Lawal Mujab Kehinde, a staff member of the logistics firm through which the cocaine was processed, was allegedly found to have a sustained relationship with the cartel’s Nigerian coordinator.
The NDLEA said investigations established that Kehinde packaged and processed consignments for the syndicate and routed them to the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia, allegedly receiving cash payments for his role.
The second suspect, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as “KC Luxury,” was identified by investigators as the alleged Nigerian arrowhead of the cartel.
Marwa said Afolabi presented himself publicly as a social media influencer and businessman dealing in gold, jewellery and luxury goods, while allegedly using his glamorous lifestyle to conceal a cocaine trafficking operation.
According to the NDLEA, the network operated a pipeline stretching from South America through Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
Marwa said Afolabi was arrested on August 13 at the boarding gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after intelligence indicated that he planned to flee Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris.
The NDLEA chairman said operatives found €7,750, £2,800 and N100,000 in cash, as well as expensive jewellery, in his possession.
A subsequent search of his luxury apartment in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, also led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, the agency said.
Marwa further disclosed that investigations showed the cartel allegedly used false identities to conceal the actual consignors of its shipments and relied on financial facilitators to move billions of naira on its behalf.
He added that the syndicate maintained criminal contacts in the United Kingdom, with some members already arrested by British authorities in connection with the same network.
The NDLEA boss described the case as a major achievement in international cooperation, noting that arrests were made in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as part of the investigation.
He also raised concern over what he described as a growing shift by drug trafficking organisations from seaports and airports to courier and logistics companies, which they allegedly consider less monitored channels for moving narcotics across international borders.
Marwa said the latest operation demonstrated the agency’s ability to track traffickers regardless of where they operate.
He warned individuals attempting to hide drug trafficking activities behind luxury brands, wealth and social media personas that the agency would continue to pursue them.
Marwa said the NDLEA remained committed to preventing Nigeria from being used as a transit route for international drug trafficking and protecting communities from the activities of organised drug syndicates.