Colombian authorities, with FBI support, arrested Nigerian national Joseph Chinedu Okparaejesi at Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport for allegedly running a major drug trafficking network. Posing as a beauty entrepreneur, he was accused of smuggling cocaine to Spain. His arrest led to 15 more detentions linked to the operation.
Colombian authorities, in collaboration with the FBI, have arrested a Nigerian national, Joseph Chinedu Okparaejesi, also known as Alen, at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. The suspect, who had lived in Colombia for over a decade, was detained on March 12, 2025, upon his arrival from São Paulo, Brazil. His arrest follows an extensive investigation by Colombian police intelligence and the Attorney General’s Office.
Authorities allege that Okparaejesi, who posed as a beauty industry entrepreneur, was a key figure in a transnational drug trafficking network responsible for smuggling large shipments of cocaine to Spain. Investigators revealed that he financed drug procurement and oversaw operations that involved human couriers and specialized luggage with hidden compartments. His capture was made possible after a detained drug mule provided critical intelligence on his activities.
Further investigations led to the arrest of 15 other individuals linked to his network. Reports indicate that Okparaejesi married a Colombian woman in 2012 and operated a hair extension business, "Nigeria African," in Bogotá. Despite his long stay in Colombia, he reportedly traveled to Africa only once every two years to visit his family.
The Colombian National Penitentiary and Prison Institute has confirmed his detention, and he now faces charges related to drug trafficking, production, and distribution. His case has sparked discussions on international drug cartels and the role of Nigerian nationals in the global narcotics trade.
