NDLEA arraigns KC Luxury, two others for 184.5kg cocaine export to UK
NDLEA arraigned Kazeem Michael Afolabi (KC Luxury), Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule, and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch before Lagos Federal High Court on Friday on 22 charges including cocaine trafficking, unlawful export, and money laundering related to an alleged attempt to send 184.5kg of cocaine to the United Kingdom. The defendants pleaded not guilty when charges were read before Judge Ayokunle Faji.
The agency alleges the trio conspired with others between July 28 and August 1 to conceal the cocaine in five packages shipped via a Lagos courier company, with Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742, and 2211893902, listing Yemi Ejide as shipper. NDLEA valued the seizure at approximately ₦39 billion, calling it its largest cocaine interception via courier in Nigeria. Afolabi allegedly paid ₦13.2 million from a Mallamawa Ventures Zenith Bank account to BOT Express Logistics for processing the packages.
Money laundering accusations claim Afolabi moved billions through companies including Mallamawa Ventures, Fateey Man Multi-Purpose Nigeria Limited, and others to acquire vehicles and properties. He was arrested August 13 at Murtala Muhammed Airport while attempting to travel to Paris, with €7,750, £2,800, and ₦100,000 recovered. Following earlier detention upheld by Judge Aluko on September 17, the court remanded all three defendants in NDLEA custody pending bail ruling.
Given the scale of this alleged international drug network moving cocaine from South America through Nigeria to UK/Europe/Asia, what measures should communities and businesses implement to detect and prevent such trafficking operations in their areas?