- NDLEA has arrested influencer Afolabi Kazeem Micheal in Lagos
- The agency linked him to a cocaine trafficking network
- Authorities earlier seized 184.5kg of cocaine in Lagos
A Nigerian social media personality accused of being involved with an international cocaine trafficking operation has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the the agency said Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, popularly known online as “KC Luxury,” was taken into custody at Murtala Mohammed International Airport while preparing to travel to Paris.
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Micheal, 49, has about 700,000 Instagram followers and is known for portraying himself online as a businessman involved in gold and luxury products. The NDLEA alleges that he played a leading role in a drug network that moved cocaine from South America through Nigeria to destinations in Europe and Asia.
He has not publicly responded to the allegations and has not been charged before a court.
The arrest followed the discovery of 184.5kg of cocaine at a courier facility in Lagos on August 3. NDLEA officials said the drugs were hidden inside brown boxes and were being prepared for shipment overseas.
According to the agency, the consignment was linked to an international trafficking group that had allegedly used Nigeria as a transit point for moving cocaine to Britain, other European countries and parts of Asia.
The NDLEA said investigators subsequently received intelligence indicating that Micheal was planning to leave Nigeria. He was arrested 10 days after the cocaine seizure as he reached the boarding area for his business-class flight to France.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, said operatives acted quickly after receiving information that the suspect intended to leave the country.
At the time of his arrest, officials said Micheal had more than $12,800 in different currencies, including euros, British pounds and Nigerian naira. The agency also reported that he was carrying high-value jewellery, which it alleged could be connected to proceeds from illegal activities.
Another suspect, identified as 33-year-old Lawal Mujab Kehinde, was also arrested in connection with the investigation.
The NDLEA alleged that Kehinde worked for a logistics company used to move the cocaine and assisted in preparing the consignment for export. Investigators further claimed that he received cash payment for his role.
Kehinde has also not commented publicly on the allegations and has not been charged in court.
The Nigerian agency said its investigation had uncovered links to other suspected members of the trafficking organisation outside Nigeria. According to the NDLEA, law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom have also arrested some individuals believed to be connected to the network.
The arrests are part of efforts by Nigerian authorities to disrupt international drug trafficking operations that use the country as a transit route.
Marwa said the latest arrests demonstrated the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies across different countries. He also warned other suspected members of the network that the NDLEA would continue pursuing them.
The agency said its investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify other individuals allegedly connected to the cocaine trafficking operation.
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