What Is Mkpuru Mmiri, The Illicit Drug Popular In The South East.

Mkpuru Mmiri is the nickname for methamphetamine, a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It takes the form of a white, odourless, crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol.

Mkpuru Mmiri, translated to English means blocked water but it is a dangerous substance that comes with a combination of several dangerous and negative effects such as anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood swings, violent behaviour and even death. It was developed during World War II, used by soldiers to stay awake or carry out dangerous suicidal missions.

There have several reports of the high consumption and abuse of Mkpuru Mmiri in the southeastern part of the country such that it has attracted the attention of the members of Imo State House of Assembly and even lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

Origin of Mkpuru Mmiri

According to Henry Nwawuba a member of the House of Representatives representing Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency of Imo state the recent abuse of the drug  in the eastern part of the country could be traced back to 2016 when  Mexican drug dealers who set up  laboratories in Nigeria for the production of  methamphetamine locally called Mkpuru Mmiri

The Guardian also reported that a man called Shedrack who claimed to be the Chairman of Ogboifite youths said a South African returnee was the head of the cartel running the sale and distribution of the substance in his community.

According to a report on Vanguard, In march 2019 The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) discovered a drug factory in Enugu where Methamphetamine (Mkpuru mmiri) was being produced in commercial quantities for export overseas, particularly to South Africa.

Three factory workers were arrested, but the main drug baron, whose name was given as Christian Chibuzor, was not arrested since he had fled the country. prior to that discovery, a similar factory was discovered in Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Conclusion

How Mkpuru Mmiri became popular in the Southeast of the country remains a mystery, but, the effects have continued to spread across most towns and even remote villages.

According to some residents the hard drug contributed in no small measure to the increase in crimes and vandalism that rocked the eastern part of the country in recent times.

Some people actually believe that only people who take such drugs could be killing people and destroying property without any provocation and without showing remorse.