BANGKOK, Thailand – Police in Bangkok, working with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, have arrested a Nigerian man accused of being a key figure in a major cocaine trafficking network operating in Thailand.
The suspect, identified only as Patrick, 47, was allegedly supplying cocaine to customers in entertainment venues and business districts across central Bangkok.
The operation took place on April 18 under the direction of Thailand’s national police chief and the Metropolitan Police Bureau. More than 30 officers tracked the suspect for over four months before arresting him near Soi Silom 1 in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district.
Police said the suspect resisted arrest due to his large physical size, forcing more than five officers to restrain him.
A follow-up search at a luxury condominium in the Rama III area uncovered 30 grams of cocaine, 1.5 million baht in cash hidden above a bathroom ceiling, a car, gold, jewelry, luxury watches, and foreign currency worth several million baht in total.
Authorities also arrested three other people linked to the network, including one Swiss man and two Thai nationals, all of whom face charges related to possession of cocaine.
Deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee said the suspect had been living in Thailand for more than 17 years by using family connections with a Thai national.
Police believe he played a major role in smuggling cocaine into Thailand from overseas, using secret groups on mobile applications to arrange deals directly with buyers and avoid intermediaries.
According to police, Patrick confessed to the charges and admitted he was shocked officers found the cash hidden above the bathroom ceiling.
Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said investigators have additional evidence linking the suspect to international drug trafficking and believe he had no legitimate occupation other than delivering drugs for his network.
Police described the operation as a major blow to one of Thailand’s largest cocaine trafficking groups and said further investigations are continuing.
Authorities urged members of the public to report information about drug crimes through the 1386 hotline or by calling 191.
