NDLEA Arrests Popular Influencer ‘KC Luxury’ Over Alleged N39bn Cocaine Bust

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has dismantled an international drug trafficking cartel and arrested a Lagos-based socialite, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, widely known as “KC Luxury” following allegations linked him to a large drug seizure, in what the anti-narcotics agency described as a record cocaine seizure processed through a courier company in Nigeria.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.) made the disclosure on Tuesday, August 18 during a press briefing in Lagos.

According to the NDLEA boss, the operation began with the interception of a consignment of 184.50 kilograms of cocaine concealed for onward export through a courier logistics channel in Lagos.

Marwa said that given the scale of the seizure, he directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to trace the network behind the shipment.

“The cartel was hoping to realise as much as N39 billion from the consignment through their international distribution network,” Marwa said.

The NDLEA said investigations led to the arrest of two key suspects including Lawal Mujab Kehinde, a staff member of the logistics firm through which the consignment was processed, and KC Luxury who has been identified as the Nigerian arrowhead and coordinator of the International Cartel.

The agency alleged that Kehinde had a sustained relationship with KC Luxury, the cartel’s Nigerian coordinator and was involved in packaging and routing consignments to the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia.

According to the agency, KC Luxury, who presents himself online as a social media influencer and dealer in gold, jewellery and luxury goods, was arrested on August 13, 2026, at the boarding gate of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly attempting to board a business-class flight to Paris.

The NDLEA said he was found in possession of €7,750, £2,800 and N100,000 in cash, as well as jewellery.

A subsequent search of his apartment on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, also led to the recovery of vehicles, the agency stated. KC Luxury is popular on social media for posts about luxury lifestyle, cars, travel and events.

Marwa said investigations showed the cartel allegedly used Nigeria as a transit hub for moving cocaine from South America to the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

He added that the group used false identities to conceal consignors and relied on financial facilitators to move funds.

The NDLEA described the 184.50kg seizure as the largest cocaine seizure made through a courier company in Nigeria.

The agency said investigations are ongoing and that suspects will be charged to court in line with Nigerian law.

The NDLEA said it has intensified operations at airports, seaports and border routes in recent years as part of efforts to curb narcotics trafficking.