NDLEA EXPANDS CRACKDOWN ON TRANSNATIONAL DRUG CARTELS, BUSTS ENUGU METH LAB

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned luxury goods dealer and lifestyle influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two alleged accomplices over the attempted export of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine to the United Kingdom.

Afolabi was arraigned alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch before Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos on a 22-count charge bordering on cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotic drugs and money laundering.

The three defendants, who were arraigned on Friday, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.According to the NDLEA, the defendants allegedly conspired between July 28 and August 1, 2026, to export the cocaine concealed in five consignments through a courier logistics company in Lagos to London.

The consignments, which were shipped under the name Yemi Ejide, were said to have carried five different Airway Bill numbers. The charge sheet alleged that Afolabi conspired with Sule, Patriarch and two other persons, Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, who have already been arrested in London in connection with the case.

The NDLEA further alleged that Sule procured Patriarch to facilitate the shipment, while Afolabi allegedly enlisted a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the consignments.

Afolabi was also accused of taking possession of the cocaine ahead of its export and paying ₦13.2 million from a Mallamawa Ventures account with Zenith Bank to BOT Express Logistics for the shipment.

Sixteen of the 22 counts relate to alleged money laundering. The agency accused Afolabi of moving several billions of naira through various companies and personal accounts, including Mallamawa Ventures, Fateey Man Multi-Purpose Nigeria Limited, Patonifa Limited, Ade-Lak Resources, Holmestas Global Services Limited and La Capital Enterprises.

The NDLEA alleged that the funds were used, among other things, to acquire vehicles and landed properties in an attempt to conceal the proceeds of the alleged illicit drug trade.

He was also accused of failing to declare his assets to the agency as required by law.

Following the defendants’ not-guilty pleas, NDLEA prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, opposed their bail applications and urged the court to remand them in custody, citing the seriousness of the offences.

Justice Faji subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in the NDLEA’s custody and adjourned the matter until October 4, 2026, for ruling on their bail applications.

Afolabi, who is also known by the aliases KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr Luxury and Yemi Ejide, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on August 13, 2026, while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

His arrest followed the interception of the 184.5kg cocaine consignment, which the agency estimated to be worth about ₦39 billion.

The NDLEA said a subsequent search of Afolabi and his residence in Banana Island, Lagos, led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currencies and jewellery suspected to be proceeds of illicit drug activities.

The agency said the prosecution of the case was part of efforts to dismantle the network behind the attempted shipment of the cocaine to the UK.