A 46-year-old Nigerian national has been taken into custody in Thailand over his alleged involvement in a cocaine distribution ring operating within Bangkok’s nightlife areas.
According to the Bangkok Post, the arrest was confirmed on Sunday by Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Sayam Boonsom, who said the suspect, Nwaiwu Ifeanyi Placid, was apprehended during a targeted operation against the network.
Authorities revealed that he was tracked down and arrested near Silom Soi 1, where officers recovered approximately 27 grammes of cocaine.
In addition to Placid, three other individuals were arrested on charges related to drug possession. They include Swiss citizen Thomas Giubibini and two Thai nationals, Thanayot Asawamethi, 35, and Nattawat Wangkitjinda, 34.
Police disclosed that the total items seized during the operation included about 30 grammes of cocaine, a vehicle, 1.5 million baht in cash, foreign currency valued at 15,000 baht, and jewellery estimated to be worth 400,000 baht.
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Investigators linked the arrests to earlier crackdowns on the same network. They said that on October 26 last year, officers “posing as construction workers dismantled a Nana-based network and arrested nine Nigerian suspects.”
They also stated that a follow-up raid conducted on January 23 led to additional arrests and the confiscation of assets valued at over 7 million baht.
Further investigations identified another Nigerian, known as “Patrick,” aged 47, as a central figure in the operation. Police said he had lived in Thailand for at least 17 years and allegedly ran a “middleman-free” drug network.
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Authorities added that officers monitored the group’s activities closely, noting that they “infiltrated the chat groups and tracked his movements” before making arrests.
Deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee said the suspect initially resisted arrest but was subdued by officers. He added that the suspect later “confessed to the charges.”
Police confirmed that investigations are still ongoing, with all suspects currently in custody.
