Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, a Nigerian influencer known as "KC Luxury," was arrested at Lagos airport after NDLEA discovered 184.5kg of cocaine worth nearly $28m (£21m) at a courier facility. Officials say he is suspected of acting as the Nigerian link in an international trafficking network moving drugs from South America to Europe and Asia. A second suspect, logistics worker Lawal Mujab Kehinde, has also been detained; neither has been charged. NDLEA praised international cooperation and vowed to pursue other network members.
Nigerian Influencer 'KC Luxury' Arrested After 184.5kg Cocaine Seizure Worth Nearly $28M
Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, AKA "KC Luxury", has not commented on the allegations [NDLEA]
A Nigerian social media influencer has been arrested after authorities uncovered a shipment of cocaine with an estimated street value of nearly $28m (£21m) that was destined for the United Kingdom, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said.
NDLEA officials identified the suspect as 49-year-old Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, who uses the handle "KC Luxury" and has roughly 700,000 Instagram followers. Micheal cultivated a public image as a businessman dealing in gold and luxury goods.
The agency said 184.5kg of cocaine was discovered concealed inside brown boxes at a courier facility in Lagos on Monday 3 August. NDLEA alleges the shipment formed part of an international trafficking network that moves cocaine from South America through Nigeria to markets in Europe and Asia.
Micheal was detained at Lagos’s Murtala Mohammed International Airport about 10 days after the seizure as he attempted to board a business-class flight to Paris. "Upon credible intelligence that he intended to flee the country… our operatives moved decisively and apprehended him at the boarding gate… just as he attempted to escape the reach of the law," NDLEA head General Buba Marwa said.
[BBC]
The agency said Micheal was carrying more than $12,840 in cash in three currencies—euros, pounds and naira—and wearing jewellery the NDLEA described as "consistent with the proceeds of his illicit trade" at the time of his arrest. He has not commented on the allegations and has not been charged in court.
A second suspect, 33-year-old Lawal Mujab Kehinde, was also detained. NDLEA alleges Kehinde worked for a logistics company used to move the consignment, packaged the cocaine for export and was paid in cash. He has similarly not commented and has not been charged.
"We will track you to the departure gates if we must," General Marwa said at a news conference in Lagos, praising international cooperation and pledging to pursue additional members of the network.
The NDLEA said law enforcement partners overseas have also arrested suspected members of the same network in the UK. The BBC has contacted UK authorities for comment.
This investigation highlights concerns about organised trafficking routes that move narcotics through West Africa to Europe and beyond, and the role that private courier services and logistics firms can play in facilitating large consignments.
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