A Nigerian social media influencer has been arrested following the seizure of cocaine valued at nearly $28 million that authorities say was destined for the UK.
Afolabi Kazeem Micheal, popularly known online as “KC Luxury,” was detained at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos as he prepared to travel to Paris, according to Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The 49-year-old, who has about 700,000 Instagram followers, presents himself online as a businessman involved in gold and luxury goods.
Nigeria influencer arrested over alleged drug trafficking links
The NDLEA alleges that Micheal was the Nigerian “arrowhead” of an international drug trafficking network that moved cocaine from South America through Nigeria to destinations in Europe and Asia.
Authorities said Micheal was arrested on suspicion of being linked to the network. He has not commented on the allegations and has not been charged in court.
The arrest followed the seizure of 184.5kg of cocaine at a courier facility in Lagos on Monday, August 3.
According to the NDLEA, the cocaine was concealed inside brown boxes and was being prepared for export to the UK through an international trafficking network.
Cocaine seized at Lagos courier facility
The NDLEA said the trafficking network had allegedly used Nigeria as a transit point for several years to move illegal drugs to the UK, other European countries and Asia.
Ten days after the cocaine seizure, Micheal was arrested at Lagos airport while attempting to board a business-class flight to Paris.
NDLEA officials said they acted on intelligence indicating that he intended to leave Nigeria.
The agency’s Director General, General Buba Marwa, said operatives arrested Micheal at the boarding gate before he could leave the country.
Second suspect detained in cocaine investigation
The NDLEA also arrested another man, identified as 33-year-old Lawal Mujab Kehinde, who is alleged to have worked for a logistics company involved in transporting the cocaine.
The agency alleges that Kehinde helped package the cocaine for export and received payment in cash.
Like Micheal, Kehinde has not commented on the allegations and has not been charged in court.
The NDLEA said other suspected members of the trafficking network had also been arrested in the UK by law enforcement authorities there.
The BBC said it was seeking comment from UK authorities.
Cash and jewellery seized from influencer
According to the NDLEA, Micheal was carrying more than $12,840 in euros, pounds and Nigerian naira when he was arrested.
Officials also said he had expensive jewellery that they described as being consistent with proceeds allegedly linked to illicit activities.
The agency has not indicated that the seized assets have been proven in court to be proceeds of crime.
NDLEA vows to pursue wider trafficking network
General Marwa said the arrests demonstrated the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in different countries.
He said the NDLEA would continue working with international partners to identify and arrest other individuals suspected of involvement in the network.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to establish the full extent of the alleged trafficking operation.
