The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has dismantled an international cocaine trafficking cartel allegedly using Nigeria as a transit route to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
At the centre of the operation is Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as “KC Luxury,” a luxury goods dealer and social media influencer identified by the agency as the cartel’s Nigerian coordinator.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, says the suspect was arrested at the boarding gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly attempting to flee the country on a business-class flight to Paris.
The breakthrough followed the interception of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, allegedly destined for the UK, with a potential street value of about N39 billion.
NDLEA operatives also recovered 7,750 euros, 2,800 pounds sterling, N100,000, expensive jewellery and exotic vehicles from the suspect and his luxury apartment in Lagos.
The agency says the investigation has also led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate, including a logistics company staff member allegedly involved in processing the cartel’s consignments.
Marwa says the operation demonstrates that traffickers cannot hide behind luxury lifestyles, social media influence or international connections.