Nigeria arrests influencer in $28m cocaine bust

The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency has successfully arrested a notorious drug kingpin, Afolabi Kazeem Michael.

The cartel led by Afolabi Kazeem is known to use Nigeria as a transit hub for transporting illicit drugs to the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, and Asia.

The arrest of Afolabi Kazeem, popularly known on social media as KC Luxury, while he attempted to flee the country from the Murtala Mohammed Stadium in Lagos.

The arrest was disclosed on Tuesday, 19th August 2026, by the Chairman of the NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa during a press briefing in Lagos.

Marwa described the operation and arrest as one of the most significant narcotics investigations undertaken by the agency in recent times.

The NDLEA boss said the investigation followed the interception of 184.50 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a consignment being processed through a courier logistics company in Lagos.

The cocaine, which would have earned the cartel N39 billion if successfully transported, was destined for the UK, from where it would have been distributed through their international distribution network.

Marwa, the NDLEA boss, had ordered the formation of a special investigation team after the seizure to trace those behind the seized drugs.

The work of the team led to the arrest of Lawal Mujab Kehinde, a staff member of the logistics company that processed the cocaine. Kehinde is said to have maintained a sustained relationship with the coordinator of the cartel in Nigeria.

Kehinde’s role has been to package and process the consignment to the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia in exchange for money.

The second arrest is that of Afolabi Kazeem, known on social media as KC Luxury, an influencer and businessman who deals in gold, jewellery, and luxury goods.

Source: MRA