In a significant breakthrough, Nigerian drug cartel leader K. Jeff has been apprehended in Lagos amid an ongoing investigation into romance scams and financial fraud targeting Koreans. The arrest, made in collaboration between the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Intelligence Service, marks a major victory against international drug trafficking and cybercrime.
K. Jeff, a 59-year-old Nigerian national, has a notorious history of drug-related crimes. He was previously arrested in 2007 for leading drug distribution operations in Korea and was sentenced to a year in prison before being deported in 2008. After returning to Nigeria, K. Jeff continued his criminal activities, procuring drugs from Central America and Southeast Asia to smuggle worldwide, including to Korea.
His organization, known for its sophisticated operations, has established bases in Southeast Asia, Africa, North America, and Europe. They expanded their influence by using funds obtained from drug distribution as well as romance scams and investment fraud. The group targeted victims through social media, gaining their trust by impersonating international organization agents, government officials, or lawyers.
One of the most alarming tactics employed by K. Jeff’s organization was using romance scams to recruit unsuspecting individuals as drug couriers. Victims, often lured into romantic relationships or false investment opportunities, were persuaded to transport items like backpacks and chocolates, which concealed drugs. This method enabled the organization to smuggle substantial quantities of drugs across borders.
The National Intelligence Service’s International Criminal Information Center has been tracking K. Jeff’s organization since 2020. The investigation intensified in 2021 when authorities uncovered a domestic network of Nigerians attempting to distribute drugs imported from Ghana. To date, the authorities have seized a total of 45.6 kg of drugs, including methamphetamine and cannabis, with a street value of approximately 972 billion won.
During K. Jeff’s arrest, the National Intelligence Service provided crucial intelligence on his hiding places and new criminal activities. The operation involved specialized personnel and armed local authorities, ensuring a successful raid on the organization’s base.
This arrest serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by international drug trafficking and cybercrime. The National Intelligence Service has urged the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online and to be wary of requests to transport goods from overseas.
