Nigerian Authorities Bust International Cocaine Ring, Arrest Social Media Influencer

Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the disruption of a significant international cocaine trafficking network that utilized Nigeria as a key transit hub for shipments destined for Europe, the UK, and Asia. The operation culminated in the seizure of 184.5 kilograms of cocaine, representing the largest cocaine haul ever recovered from a courier company in Nigeria.

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The scale of the seizure prompted me to set up a Special Investigation Team tasked with tracing the operation from couriers up to the masterminds behind it.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that the massive seizure prompted the formation of a Special Investigation Team. This team worked with the courier company to unravel a complex web of intermediary firms and individuals, leading to the arrest of two primary suspects. Lawal Mujab Kehinde, an employee of the logistics firm, allegedly maintained a direct relationship with the cartel's Nigerian coordinator, facilitating shipments for cash payments.

The most prominent arrest was Afolabi Kazeem Michael, known online as "KC Luxury." Marwa identified him as the cartel's Nigerian leader, who allegedly used his public image as a dealer of luxury goods to mask his illicit operations. Operatives apprehended Afolabi at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport on August 13 as he attempted to board a flight to Paris. He was found with substantial amounts of cash in Euros, British Pounds, and Nigerian Naira, along with expensive jewelry. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered several luxury vehicles.

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Afolabi used his public persona as a jewelry and luxury-goods dealer to mask a criminal enterprise moving cocaine from South America through Nigeria to the UK and beyond.

Marwa noted that the cartel employed false identities and relied on financial facilitators to move large sums of money. He also indicated that some of the cartel's contacts in the UK have been arrested by British authorities. The NDLEA chairman warned that trafficking organizations are increasingly shifting their methods away from traditional seaports and airports towards courier and logistics companies, which they mistakenly believe are less scrutinized.

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Trafficking organizations are increasingly shifting away from seaports and airports, where scrutiny has intensified, toward courier and logistics companies, which he said criminals wrongly assume are less monitored.