Thai narcotics police arrested a Nigerian national in Bangkok on Wednesday after a meticulously planned sting operation uncovered a stash of cocaine and ecstasy pills, authorities confirmed Thursday.
The suspect, identified only as a 35-year-old man holding a Nigerian passport, fell into the trap during a late-night transaction in the bustling Chatuchak district, according to a statement from Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). Officers posed as buyers and seized approximately 500 grams of cocaine—valued at over 2 million Thai baht (about ₦18 million)—along with 200 ecstasy tablets hidden in his backpack. The operation stemmed from a two-week surveillance effort tracking cross-border smuggling routes from Southeast Asia into Thailand’s nightlife hubs.
“This arrest disrupts a potential supply chain targeting tourist hotspots and underground parties,” said Police Colonel Naratip Sangkaew, head of the ONCB’s Bangkok division. Initial investigations link the man to a small network of African expatriates operating in Thailand, though no other arrests have been announced. He faces charges under Thailand’s strict Narcotic Drugs Act, which carries penalties of up to life imprisonment or the death penalty for trafficking class-A substances like cocaine.
The bust adds to Thailand’s aggressive 2025 anti-drug campaign, which has netted over 15 tons of narcotics this year alone, per ONCB data. Nigerians have featured prominently in recent sweeps; in October, two compatriots were detained in Pattaya with heroin and methamphetamine, underscoring patterns of West African involvement in regional syndicates. Immigration records show the suspect entered Thailand on a 90-day tourist visa last month, which he allegedly overstayed.
Local Nigerian community leaders in Bangkok condemned the incident, urging expatriates to avoid crime amid rising scrutiny. “We stand against any illegal activities tarnishing our image,” said Chinedu Okoro, president of the Nigerian Union in Thailand.
As the case heads to court next week, authorities warn of intensified airport and border checks ahead of the New Year holiday rush.
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