NDLEA arrests fugitive drug kingpin and uncovers meth lab in Imo
Reginald Peter Chidiebere, a notorious drug kingpin, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency after 13 years in hiding. The agency linked him to multiple cocaine and heroin trafficking operations and secured the interim forfeiture of his hotel and bank accounts. Several coordinated operations across Nigeria led to the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs and the dismantling of a methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State. Multiple suspects were apprehended in connection with these drug-related crimes.
What happened
- Reginald Peter Chidiebere was first arrested in 2013 for importing cocaine, later jumped bail, and resurfaced in February 2024 as a suspect in a heroin shipment.
- On 19th February 2024, NDLEA recovered 2.20kg of heroin from a guest at his hotel in Lagos, and his assets were seized since 2024.
- Chidiebere surrendered to the agency on 13th February 2026 and is now in custody facing old and new charges.
- NDLEA dismantled a meth lab in Imo State on 25th February 2026, recovering 18.4kg of methamphetamine and production equipment.
- Other arrests and drug seizures occurred on 23rd February, 24th February, 25th February, 26th February, and 27th February 2026 in Lagos, Kano, Katsina, Osun, Taraba, Abuja, and Borno, involving substances like tramadol, skunk, and codeine syrup.
