Kenyan Man Extradited to US Over Alleged $58M Cartel Arms Deal
A Kenyan national has been extradited to the United States and charged over an alleged international arms trafficking scheme linked to a major Mexican cartel.
Elisha Odhiambo Asumo was transferred from Morocco to the United States on 11 March and appeared in a federal court in Virginia the following day under FBI escort. Prosecutors allege he was part of a network seeking to supply military-grade weapons to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which the US designates as both a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group.
The case centres on a proposed weapons deal valued at about $58 million (Sh7.5 billion). The equipment listed includes assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, surface-to-air missiles and drones. Investigators say the cartel planned to use the weapons to expand its drug trafficking activities, including cocaine smuggling into the United States.
Court documents state that Asumo’s role involved obtaining falsified end-user certificates, which are intended to confirm the legitimate destination of arms shipments. Prosecutors allege he used documentation channels in Africa to conceal the cartel’s involvement. A trial shipment of 50 AK-47 rifles was reportedly arranged from Bulgaria using forged Tanzanian documents to demonstrate the viability of the supply chain.
Authorities identify Bulgarian arms dealer Peter Mirchev as the leader of the network. He was arrested in Spain and extradited to the United States in April 2026. Other suspects include Subiro Osmund Mwapinga, who is in custody in Ghana, and Ugandan national Michael Katungi Mpweire, who remains at large. Investigators say undercover agents, posing as cartel representatives, infiltrated the group and recorded meetings and planning discussions.
If convicted, Asumo and his co-accused face a minimum sentence of ten years, with the possibility of life imprisonment. The prosecution is expected to rely on recorded evidence and official documents.
