IMO: NDLEA nabs wanted drug baron in village mansion

Mbonu was captured by NDLEA operatives at his village mansion in his native village in Imo State on July 5th.

In a statement released yesterday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, it was disclosed that Mbonu was nabbed alongside his accomplice.

The statement revealed Mbonu’s affiliation with a drug syndicate responsible for the production of methamphetamine.

Babafemi mentioned, “The NDLEA has successfully dismantled a significant drug syndicate involved in the manufacturing and distribution of the dangerous psychoactive substance known as methamphetamine, locally referred to as ‘Mkpuru mmiri.’ This operation resulted in the arrest of the syndicate’s leader, Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu, aged 42, and his associate at his lavish residence in Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.”

The drug cartel, with operational hubs in Imo and Rivers states, was targeted by the agency based on intelligence pointing to its substantial distribution of methamphetamine in the South-East, South-South regions, and beyond.

During the operation, Babafemi disclosed that the operatives seized 419.99 grams of methamphetamine, 750 grams of iodine, as well as a pump action gun with four cartridges, among other items.

“After conducting thorough surveillance, a special operations unit of the agency successfully tracked and apprehended the drug lord at his rural mansion in Imo State on Friday, July 5, 2024. He was caught in possession of various quantities of methamphetamine, precursor chemicals, a pump action gun, and cartridges, along with his associate Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, aged 34,” Babafemi elaborated.

Babafemi said in subsequent raids on the residences of Mbonu’s associates in Rivers and Imo states, additional illicit drugs were recovered.

He said, “The operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideouts located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grams of meth.

“Another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo State, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items. While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo State have been marked for possible forfeiture to the Federal Government.”

Babafemi also mentioned Mbonu’s criminal history, detailing his escape from South Africa, where he had resided for an extended period, and his subsequent involvement in producing methamphetamine upon returning to Nigeria.

Mbonu allegedly set up hidden laboratories in remote villages to evade detection while continuing his illegal drug operations.