KEY POINTS

• NDLEA seized 184.5kg of cocaine valued at nearly $28m.
• Influencer “KC Luxury” was arrested at Lagos airport.
• UK authorities also arrested suspected members of the network.

A Nigerian social media influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, popularly known as “KC Luxury”, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over his alleged involvement in an international cocaine trafficking network.

The 49-year-old suspect was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to board a business-class flight to Paris, according to the anti-drug agency.

Micheal, who reportedly has about 700,000 followers on Instagram, is known for showcasing a luxury lifestyle and presenting himself online as a businessman involved in gold and other high-value commodities.

The NDLEA said intelligence gathered during its investigation linked him to a wider international network allegedly involved in moving cocaine from South America through Nigeria to destinations in Europe and Asia.

The investigation followed the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine discovered at a courier facility in Lagos on August 3.

According to the NDLEA, the cocaine was concealed inside brown boxes and was allegedly being prepared for export by members of an international trafficking organisation.

The agency said the network allegedly used Nigeria as a transit point for transporting cocaine to the United Kingdom, other European countries and parts of Asia.

The seized consignment was estimated to have a street value of nearly $28 million, underscoring the scale of the alleged trafficking operation.

Influencer Intercepted Before Leaving Nigeria

The NDLEA said Micheal was arrested about 10 days after the cocaine seizure following intelligence that he was planning to leave Nigeria.

Operatives reportedly intercepted him at the airport boarding gate before he could depart for France.

NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, said the arrest formed part of efforts to dismantle the wider network behind the shipment and identify other individuals involved in the alleged operation.

At the time of his arrest, the agency said Micheal was carrying foreign and local currencies worth more than $12,840, as well as expensive jewellery.

The NDLEA alleged that the items could be connected to proceeds from illicit activities.

Another suspect, 33-year-old Lawal Mujab Kehinde, was also arrested in connection with the investigation.

The NDLEA alleged that Kehinde worked for a logistics company that was used to facilitate the transportation of the cocaine.

According to the agency, he was involved in packaging the drugs for export and allegedly received payment for his role.

The investigation has reportedly extended beyond Nigeria, with the NDLEA saying law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom have also arrested other suspected members of the trafficking network.