A Nigerian national has been arrested in Thailand over his alleged involvement in a cocaine trafficking network operating within Bangkok’s nightlife districts.
According to a report by the Bangkok Post published on Sunday, April 19, Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Sayam Boonsom confirmed that the suspect, Nwaiwu Ifeanyi Placid, 46, was apprehended during a targeted operation carried out on Saturday, April 18.
Police authorities said he was tracked and arrested near Silom Soi 1, where approximately 27 grammes of cocaine were recovered from him.
The operation also led to the arrest of three additional suspects on drug possession charges. They include a Swiss national, Thomas Giubibini, and two Thai citizens, Thanayot Asawamethi, 35, and Nattawat Wangkitjinda, 34.
In total, authorities said they seized about 30 grammes of cocaine, a vehicle, 1.5 million baht in cash, foreign currency valued at 15,000 baht, and jewellery estimated at 400,000 baht.
Investigators linked the arrests to earlier crackdowns on the same network. Police disclosed that on October 26, 2025, officers posing as construction workers dismantled a Nana-based drug ring, leading to the arrest of nine Nigerian suspects.
A follow-up raid carried out on January 23, 2026, further disrupted the network, with authorities seizing assets worth over 7 million baht.
Subsequent investigations identified another Nigerian suspect, known simply as “Patrick,” aged 47, as a key figure in the operation. Police said he had resided in Thailand for at least 17 years and allegedly managed a “middleman-free” drug distribution network.
Authorities revealed that officers infiltrated the group’s communication channels, tracking movements through monitored chat groups before carrying out the arrests.
Deputy Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee stated that the main suspect initially resisted arrest but was subdued by officers. He was later said to have admitted to the allegations.
Police added that investigations are ongoing, with all suspects currently in custody.
