British authorities have charged two Nigerian nationals with drug trafficking offences following a joint investigation with Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency, court records showed.
Oladipupo Atandare, 50, of Dagenham, and Latifat Yusuf, 44, of Hornchurch, were arrested on August 5. They appeared first at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on August 8 and remain in custody.
The pair are due to face Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 7.
The case stems from a collaborative probe between UK police and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Nigerian authorities recently announced the arrest in Lagos of Afolabi Kazeem Michael, also known as KC Luxury, whom they described as the local arrowhead of a drug cartel.
On August 13, NDLEA officers detained Michael at Murtala Muhammed International Airport as he prepared to board a business-class flight to Paris. Agents seized 184.50 kilogrammes of cocaine along with foreign currency, jewellery and luxury vehicles, according to the agency.
Officials said the London arrests formed part of the wider effort targeting the same network. Further details of the charges against Atandare and Yusuf were not immediately released.
