The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled an international cocaine trafficking cartel allegedly using Nigeria as a transit hub for moving drugs to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
The agency also arrested Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as “KC Luxury,” who it identified as the alleged Nigerian arrowhead of the syndicate.
NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa said the operation followed the seizure of 184.50kg of cocaine concealed in a consignment for export through a courier logistics channel in Lagos.
He said the cartel hoped to make as much as N39bn from the shipment through its international distribution network.
Investigators subsequently arrested two key suspects, including Lawal Mujab Kehinde, a logistics company employee allegedly involved in processing and routing consignments for the syndicate.
Afolabi was arrested at the boarding gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on August 13 while allegedly attempting to flee to Paris on a business-class flight.
NDLEA said he was found with €7,750, £2,800 and N100,000, alongside expensive jewellery.
A search of his luxury apartment in Banana Island also reportedly led to the recovery of exotic vehicles.
Marwa warned that drug traffickers could no longer hide behind luxury lifestyles or courier companies.
