Nigerian arrested in Colombia for alleged international drug trafficking

Bogotá, Colombia – Colombian authorities, in collaboration with the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have arrested a Nigerian national, Joseph Chinedu Okparaejesi, on charges of smuggling a large quantity of cocaine into the country.

According to Colombia’s Police Intelligence Unit, Okparaejesi, also known by the alias “Alen,” was apprehended at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá upon his arrival from São Paulo, Brazil.

His arrest followed an extensive investigation spearheaded by Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía General de la Nación).

A statement released by the Fiscalía General de la Nación on Friday revealed that Okparaejesi, who has resided in Colombia for over 12 years, was detained while attempting to board a flight from São Paulo, Brazil. The arrest was executed in accordance with a court order obtained by the Attorney General’s Office.

Authorities believe that Okparaejesi operated under the guise of a businessman in the beauty industry while allegedly coordinating large-scale cocaine shipments to Spain.

The statement detailed his suspected role in financing drug procurement and overseeing an elaborate operation involving human couriers and specially designed double-bottom suitcases used to smuggle narcotics.

“His arrest was reportedly made possible by intelligence obtained from a detained drug mule en route to Spain, who disclosed key details about the network,” the statement noted.

Sharing a photograph of the arrested suspect, the Fiscalía General de la Nación described Okparaejesi as the alleged mastermind behind a transnational criminal organization dedicated to smuggling drugs from South America to Europe.

“This is Nigerian citizen Joseph Chinedu Okparaejesi, who pleaded guilty to trafficking, manufacturing, or carrying narcotics,” the statement read.

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“Pursuant to a court order obtained by the Attorney General’s Office, Nigerian citizen Joseph Chinedu Okparaejesi was arrested at Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport as he attempted to board a flight from São Paulo, Brazil.”

The statement further outlined the intricate logistics of the illicit operation: “The foreigner, known by the alias Alen, is believed to be the mastermind of a transnational criminal network accused of sending travelers to Spain with cocaine hidden in their luggage.

“The material evidence indicates that this individual apparently financed the acquisition of illicit substances and the entire illegal arrangement, which included the preparation of the so-called ‘human couriers’ and the double-bottom suitcases used to conceal the narcotics, as well as the logistics necessary to ensure their departure from the country and arrival in Europe.”

The joint operation between the Colombian Prosecutor’s Office, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Interpol (DIJIN) of the National Police, and the FBI revealed that Okparaejesi allegedly traveled across Latin America to expand his illicit activities.

His criminal enterprise came to light following the arrest of a drug courier at El Dorado Airport attempting to smuggle cocaine to Madrid, Spain.

Since the launch of the investigation, authorities have arrested 15 individuals connected to the network, including travelers and key members of the criminal syndicate.

“For all of the above, a prosecutor from the Specialized Directorate charged the Nigerian citizen with trafficking, manufacturing, or possession of narcotics, a charge which he has accepted,” the statement confirmed.

Following his court appearance, Okparaejesi was ordered by a judge to remain in detention pending further legal proceedings. “The defendant, by order of a judge supervising the guarantees, must serve a security measure in a prison facility,” the statement concluded.

Authorities continue to investigate the extent of the network’s operations and have vowed to dismantle the transnational drug trafficking ring responsible for smuggling narcotics from Latin America to Europe.