A Nigerian national has been taken into custody in Bangkok over his alleged involvement in a cocaine distribution network operating across the city’s entertainment districts.
According to the Bangkok Post, the arrest was confirmed on Sunday by Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Sayam Boonsom. He identified the suspect as Nwaiwu Ifeanyi Placid, 46, who was apprehended during a targeted operation against the group.
Authorities said he was tracked and detained near Silom Soi 1, where officers recovered about 27 grammes of cocaine.
Three additional suspects were also 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 reported that total items seized during the operation included roughly 30 grammes of cocaine, a vehicle, 1.5 million baht in cash, foreign currencies valued at 15,000 baht, and jewellery estimated at 400,000 baht.
Investigators linked the latest arrests to previous crackdowns on the same syndicate. They said that on October 26 last year, officers “posing as construction workers dismantled a Nana-based network and arrested nine Nigerian suspects.”
Authorities added that another raid on January 23 led to more arrests and the confiscation of assets exceeding 7 million baht.
Further investigations pointed to another Nigerian suspect, identified only as “Patrick,” 47, believed to be a central figure in the operation. Police said he had resided in Thailand for at least 17 years and allegedly ran a drug network without intermediaries.
Officers revealed that they penetrated the group’s communication systems, noting they “infiltrated the chat groups and tracked his movements” before making arrests.
Deputy commissioner Theeradet Thamsuthee said the suspect resisted arrest and had to be subdued, adding that he later admitted involvement, stating he “confessed to the charges.”
Police said investigations are ongoing, with all suspects currently in custody.