A notorious drug cartel responsible for producing and distributing methamphetamine, known locally as ‘mkpuru mmiri,’ was dismantled by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The cartel leader, 42-year-old Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu, was arrested in his mansion in Umuomi village, Ikeduru, Imo State.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the cartel, operating in Imo and Rivers states, was targeted due to intelligence indicating its role in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine across the South East, South-South, and other regions of Nigeria.

After weeks of surveillance, NDLEA operatives arrested Mbonu and his associate, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, on July 5, 2024. They were found with various quantities of methamphetamine, precursor chemicals, a pump-action gun, and cartridges.

The items recovered from Mbonu’s house included 419.99 grams of methamphetamine, 750 grams of iodine, 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate, two electronic weighing scales, and a pump-action gun with four cartridges.

The operatives also raided another hideout of Mbonu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they seized 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate, 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate, and 75 grams of methamphetamine.

Another raid at the home of Mbonu’s associate, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, who is currently at large, in Njaba, Imo State, resulted in the recovery of another pump-action gun with 25 cartridges and other items. Two of Mbonu’s mansions in Imo State have been marked for potential forfeiture.

NDLEA Chairman Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the officers for the operation, emphasizing that this successful bust should warn other drug cartels that they cannot hide anywhere in Nigeria.