Suspected kingpin of a Nigeria-based international drug cartel, K. Jeff, has been arrested in Lagos for allegedly smuggling illicit drugs into South Korea over the years.

The arrest was carried out following a five-year joint investigation between Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Korea Times reports.

According to the NIS Transnational Crime Information Center, investigators were able to track down key figures of the cartel leading to the arrest of 37 members, including Jeff.

“Jeff is suspected of operating a drug trafficking network spanning five continents and deceiving individuals, including Koreans, into unknowingly smuggling illicit substances like methamphetamine and other stimulant drugs," the NIS said.

Authorities revealed that Jeff had a prior conviction in South Korea in 2007 for drug smuggling. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison before being deported to Nigeria in 2008.

The cartel reportedly lured unsuspecting individuals into trafficking drugs.

Last year, a Korean woman in her 50s was deceived into transporting what she believed were depilatory wax products, only to discover later that cocaine was concealed inside. She was caught before boarding a flight to Cambodia.

At least 10 Korean citizens were similarly tricked into unknowingly smuggling drugs.

Authorities found that Jeff expanded his network across Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, where he and his associates were cultivating, manufacturing, and distributing illicit drugs.

The NDLEA and NIS have reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling international drug trafficking syndicates, with further investigations expected.

Jeff's arrest marks a major breakthrough in the fight against transnational drug crimes, and authorities are working to track down more members of his cartel.

Source: https://saharareporters.com/2025/02/21/nigeria-based-drug-cartel-kingpin-arrested-lagos-smuggling-illicit-substances-korea
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Source https://saharareporters.com/2025/02/21/nigeria-based-drug-cartel-kingpin-arrested-lagos-smuggling-illicit-substances-korea
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