BANGKOK — 19 April 2026, Thai police have dismantled a cocaine trafficking network and arrested four suspects, including an alleged Nigerian ringleader, seizing drugs and assets worth millions of baht.
Senior officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau led the operation targeting a network linked to a suspect identified as Patrick, 47, a Nigerian national. He was arrested near Silom Soi 1 in Bangkok and faces multiple counts of selling a Category 2 narcotic (cocaine) for commercial distribution without authorisation.
Police said the suspect had lived in Thailand for more than 17 years, reportedly under a family visa through a Thai spouse, which authorities believe may have been a sham marriage.
Three others were also arrested: a 60-year-old Swiss national identified as Thomas, detained with 0.87 grams of cocaine in Nonthaburi province, and two Thai men, aged 35 and 34, arrested in Bangkok on charges of joint possession of cocaine without permission.
Authorities seized about 30 grams of cocaine, a car, roughly 1.5 million baht in cash, foreign currency and other assets. Additional property worth more than 400,000 baht is under investigation.
The arrests followed a four-month investigation into drug trafficking activities dating back to 2025. Police tracked the main suspect’s movements before arresting him at around 23:00 on 18 April after he allegedly delivered drugs to associates.
During a search of his residence, officers found more than 1 million baht hidden above the ceiling in a bathroom.
Police said the suspect appeared distressed during the arrest and admitted to the charges, telling officers he was shocked to be caught after operating for years.
Further investigation led officers to several additional suspected locations, during which the key suspect broke down in tears after his arrest and pleaded to be sent home, saying he did not want to rot in Thai jail.
All suspects have been handed over to investigators at multiple police stations for legal proceedings, while seized assets have been forwarded to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board for further action.
Authorities said the operation disrupted a significant drug network and that further investigations are under way to identify additional suspects.
