A notorious drug baron, Joachin Mbonu, who has been on the run from authorities, was apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in his village mansion.
Mbonu, aged 42, was captured along with his associate, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, after a targeted operation by the NDLEA. The duo was found in possession of significant quantities of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals in their hideout in Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
The NDLEA's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed that the operation dismantled a major drug cartel responsible for producing and distributing methamphetamine, locally known as ‘Mkpuru mmiri,’ across the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria.
Recovered items from the raid 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. Further searches in the residences of Mbonu’s associates in Rivers and Imo states yielded additional illicit drugs and weapons.
The NDLEA's actions followed weeks of surveillance, leading to the arrest of Mbonu and the recovery of substantial drug-related materials. Mbonu, who previously fled South Africa due to investigations into his drug activities, had set up clandestine laboratories in Nigeria to continue his operations.
With Mbonu now in custody, authorities have marked his properties for possible forfeiture to the Federal Government, aiming to dismantle his criminal network comprehensively.
