The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended notorious drug kingpin Reginald Peter Chidiebere after 13 years on the run, following the seizure of substantial consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him.
According to an NDLEA statement, Chidiebere was arrested after operatives traced drug shipments associated with him at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
“After 13 years in hiding, a notorious drug kingpin Reginald Peter Chidiebere has been taken into custody following the seizure of large consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.” the agency stated.
The NDLEA stated that the suspect was initially arrested in 2013 for attempting to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria and was subsequently arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, under charge number FHC/L/187c/2923.
He was granted bail but fled shortly afterward, going into hiding and remaining at large for several years.
“In February 2024, his name featured prominently as one of the masterminds of the shipment of 49.70 kilograms heroin imported from South Africa following the interception of the consignment by NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Lagos airport,” the agency said.