Nigerian authorities have arrested Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, a 49-year-old social media influencer, suspected of being a key player in an international cocaine trafficking ring. This arrest follows the discovery of 184.5 kg of cocaine in Lagos.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) identified Micheal, known online as KC Luxury, who was taken into custody on August 13 at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos while preparing to board a business-class flight to Paris.
The NDLEA connected his arrest to a significant cocaine seizure at a Lagos courier facility about 10 days earlier. This shipment, valued at nearly $28 million, was reportedly destined for the United Kingdom.
On Instagram, Micheal, who has amassed approximately 700,000 followers, presents himself as a businessman dealing in gold and luxury products. However, investigators allege that he was orchestrating activities within a larger network that transported cocaine from South America through Nigeria to Europe and Asia.
Micheal has not publicly responded to these charges and has not been convicted of any crime.
According to the NDLEA, their officers discovered cocaine on August 3 inside brown boxes at a courier company in Lagos. The investigation pointed to an international network allegedly using Nigeria as a transit point for cocaine shipments to Britain and other parts of Europe and Asia.
After the drug seizure, authorities linked Micheal to the operation and found he was preparing to leave the country. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa noted that officers intercepted him at the airport before his departure.
The agency seized over $12,840 in various currencies from Micheal, including euros, British pounds, and Nigerian naira. Investigators also found expensive jewelry suspected to be tied to the drug operation’s profits.
The investigation further led to the arrest of Lawal Mujab Kehinde, a 33-year-old logistics worker. According to the NDLEA, Kehinde worked with a logistics company involved in transporting the cocaine and assisted in preparing the shipment. Authorities allege he was paid for his role.
He has not commented on the allegations and remains unconvicted. The NDLEA indicated that UK law enforcement had made additional arrests associated with this suspected trafficking network, though details have not been disclosed by Nigerian authorities.
The NDLEA continues its investigation to identify other alleged members of the network. Marwa emphasized the success of collaboration between Nigerian and international law enforcement in tackling organized drug trafficking.
Authorities plan to trace the cocaine’s origin, identify more network members, and uncover the full extent of the operation. The charges against Micheal and Kehinde remain unverified in court, with both individuals presumed innocent until proven guilty through due legal process.
