NDLEA seizes N39bn cocaine shipment and arrests two suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 184.5 kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately N39 billion ($27.7 million) in Lagos. This interception, described by NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa as one of the agency’s most significant recent investigations, represents the largest cocaine seizure through a courier channel in the agency’s history.

The investigation revealed an international trafficking network using Nigeria as a transit point to move drugs from South America to the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia. Following the interception of the consignment at a courier logistics company, a special investigation team was formed to trace the network.

Two key suspects have been arrested: Lawal Mujab Kehinde, an employee of the logistics firm who allegedly processed and packaged consignments for the syndicate, and Afolabi Kazeem Michael, a businessman and social media influencer known as ‘KC Luxury’. Authorities identified Michael as the Nigerian ‘arrowhead’ of the cartel, alleging he used his persona as a luxury goods dealer to conceal his involvement in drug trafficking.