The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major drug cartel involved in the production and distribution of methamphetamine, locally known as ‘mkpuru mmiri’.
This operation led to the arrest of the syndicate’s leader, 42-year-old Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu, and his associate at Mbonu’s residence in Umuomi village, within the Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.
According to a statement from NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the cartel, which operated from bases in Imo and Rivers states, was targeted by the agency following intelligence indicating its significant role in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine across the South East, South-South, and other regions of Nigeria.
‘’After weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the Agency on Friday 5th July 2024, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges recovered”
Babafemi reported that items recovered from the residence included: 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for methamphetamine; 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate, another precursor chemical; two electronic weighing scales; and a pump-action gun with four cartridges.
He added that the team swiftly proceeded to another hideout belonging to Mbonu at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they found additional items: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate, 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate, and 75 grams of methamphetamine.
During another raid at the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, who is currently at large in Njaba LGA, Imo State, law enforcement recovered another pump-action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items.
As the principal suspect remains in custody, authorities have identified two of his properties in Imo State for potential forfeiture to the federal government.
‘’Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings. Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.” Babefmi said
