…as Nigeria seizes 184.5kg linked to probe

Two people have been charged in the United Kingdom over an alleged international cocaine trafficking operation following the seizure of more than 180kg of cocaine, while Nigerian authorities have separately intercepted a similar quantity in Lagos as part of a wider investigation involving the two countries.

Oladipupo Atandare, 50, of Dagenham, and Latifat Yusuf, 44, of Hornchurch, were arrested after more than 180kg of cocaine was seized in the UK on August 5.

The pair appeared before Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on August 8 and were remanded in custody. They are scheduled to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 7.

The Metropolitan Police said the charges against the two suspects relate specifically to the cocaine seized in the UK, stressing that investigations are continuing into the discovery of another large consignment in Nigeria.

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The development follows the seizure by Nigerian authorities of 184.5kg of cocaine at a courier facility in Lagos. The consignment, reportedly worth about £20 million, was found concealed in brown boxes.

Several people have been arrested in Nigeria in connection with the seizure, including an employee of a logistics company and social media influencer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as “KC Luxury”.

Michael, 49, who has nearly 700,000 followers on Instagram, presents himself online as a businessman involved in gold and luxury goods and is known for posting images and videos featuring expensive cars.

Nigerian law enforcement authorities have accused him of being the Nigerian “arrowhead” of an international drug cartel.

He has not publicly commented on the allegations.

The investigation is being conducted in cooperation with law enforcement authorities in Nigeria and the UK as inquiries continue into whether the cocaine seizures in both countries are connected.