NDLEA ARRESTS ALLEGED COCAINE TRAFFICKER TRYING TO FLEE NIGERIA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a Nigerian social media influencer and luxury goods dealer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, over alleged involvement in an international cocaine trafficking network.

The NDLEA said Michael was arrested on August 13, 2026, at the boarding gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris.

According to the agency, the arrest followed the seizure of 184.50kg of cocaine, which investigators said was concealed in a consignment being processed through a courier company in Lagos.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the seized cocaine was allegedly worth about N39bn if successfully distributed through the cartel’s international network.

Investigators reportedly traced the shipment to a network of companies and individuals allegedly involved in moving cocaine from South America through Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

One of the suspects arrested was identified as Lawal Mujab Kehinde, a staff member of the logistics company through which the consignment was processed. The agency alleged that he had maintained contact with the cartel and helped process and route shipments.

Michael was described by the NDLEA as the alleged Nigerian coordinator of the network. The agency said he presented himself publicly as a luxury goods dealer and social media influencer while allegedly using the image to conceal his criminal activities.

At the airport, investigators reportedly recovered €7,750, £2,800 and N100,000 in cash, alongside expensive jewellery.

A subsequent search of his luxury apartment on Banana Island, Lagos, also reportedly led to the recovery of several exotic vehicles.

The NDLEA said the investigation further uncovered the use of false identities and financial facilitators to conceal the movement of the cartel’s proceeds. Some alleged members of the network in the United Kingdom have also reportedly been arrested by British authorities.

Marwa said the operation showed that drug traffickers could no longer rely on luxury lifestyles, courier companies or other channels to escape detection.

The agency also warned individuals who use social media fame and flashy lifestyles to hide alleged criminal activities that they would be investigated and brought to justice.

The NDLEA said the latest operation was carried out with the support of international partners and forms part of its wider efforts to dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks operating through Nigeria.