Nigerian authorities have apprehended a 49-year-old social media figure, accused of playing a crucial role in an international cocaine trafficking organization. This follows the seizure of 184.5kg of cocaine in Lagos.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has identified the individual as Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, known online as KC Luxury. He was detained on August 13 at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos while preparing to board a business-class flight to Paris.
The NDLEA stated the arrest was linked to the cocaine seizure at a Lagos courier facility about 10 days prior. The shipment, valued at nearly $28 million, was reportedly intended for the United Kingdom.
On Instagram, Micheal has garnered around 700,000 followers, portraying himself as a businessman involved in gold and luxury products. Yet, investigators claim he was coordinating part of a larger network transporting cocaine from South America through Nigeria to Europe and Asia.
Micheal has not publicly addressed the charges, nor has he been convicted of any crime.
According to the NDLEA, its officers discovered cocaine on August 3 inside brown boxes at a courier company in Lagos. Investigations suggested a connection to an international network allegedly using Nigeria as a transit point for cocaine bound for Britain, other parts of Europe, and Asia.
Following the seizure, authorities linked Micheal to the operation and found that he was preparing to leave Nigeria. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa explained that officers intercepted him at the airport before his departure.
The agency also recovered over $12,840 in various currencies from Micheal, including euros, British pounds and Nigerian naira. Investigators found expensive jewellery, suspected to be tied to the alleged drug operation’s profits.
The investigation also led to the arrest of 33-year-old Lawal Mujab Kehinde, described by the NDLEA as a logistics worker. Kehinde allegedly worked with a logistics company involved in transporting the cocaine and helped prepare the shipment. Authorities claim he received payment for his involvement.
He has yet to comment on the allegations and remains unconvicted. The NDLEA mentioned that UK law enforcement had made further arrests connected to the suspected trafficking network. However, details of these arrests have not been released by Nigerian authorities.
The NDLEA continues its investigation to identify other individuals purportedly linked to the network. Marwa highlighted the operation as an example of successful collaboration between Nigerian and international law enforcement in combating organized drug trafficking.
Authorities plan to trace the origin of the seized cocaine, identify additional network members, and uncover the full scope of the operation. The accusations against Micheal and Kehinde remain unproven in court, with both individuals presumed innocent until proven guilty through due legal process.
