Police in Bangkok, Thailand have arrested four suspects, including a Nigerian national, over an alleged cocaine trafficking network operating in the city’s nightlife districts.
The suspect, identified as Nwaiwu Ifeanyi Placid, 46, was described by authorities as the alleged kingpin of the syndicate.
Sayam Boonsom, metropolitan police bureau chief, said Placid was arrested near Silom Soi 1 after officers tracked his movements.
The police said about 27 grammes of cocaine were recovered from him. Three other suspects — Thomas Giubibini, a Swiss national, and two Thai citizens, Thanayot Asawamethi, 35, and Nattawat Wangkitjinda, 34 — were also arrested.
The police said a total of about 30 grammes of cocaine was seized during the operation. Items recovered also include a vehicle, about ₦65 million in Thai currency, foreign currency worth about ₦630,000 and jewellery valued at about ₦17 million.
The arrests followed earlier operations targeting drug networks linked to foreign nationals. Police said an initial raid on October 26 led to the arrest of nine Nigerian suspects linked to a Nana-based network. Investigations later identified another suspect, known as “Patrick”, as a key figure in the network.
Police said he had lived in Thailand for over 17 years and allegedly used a sham marriage as cover for his activities.
Authorities said the network operated through encrypted chat groups to coordinate drug sales.
Officers said they infiltrated the groups and tracked the suspect before making the arrest.
Police said the suspect resisted arrest and was subdued by officers after which he confessed to the charges.