KOH PHANGAN — Tourist police on Koh Phangan arrested a major Nigerian cocaine dealer in a carefully planned operation on March 1st. The suspect had been distributing drugs to foreign tourists across the popular island destination.
Following intelligence reports about a Black foreign national selling drugs to tourists on Koh Phangan, police conducted an investigation that identified Ugowma J. (surname withheld), a 37-year-old Nigerian national, as the suspect. Authorities monitored his movements before arranging a sting operation.
Undercover officers contacted the suspect via WhatsApp to arrange a cocaine purchase near the Pantip Plaza market in Moo 1, Koh Phangan subdistrict. Police surveillance teams positioned themselves around the meeting point while waiting for the suspect.
When Ugowma arrived at the designated location and handed over the drugs to an undercover officer, police confirmed the substance was cocaine before identifying themselves and immediately apprehending the suspect.
Evidence seized during the arrest included 25.71 grams of cocaine valued at approximately 240,000 baht ($7,000), a black Mazda 2 vehicle, and two mobile phones.
The suspect faces two charges: possession of a Category 2 narcotic with intent to sell, and illegal distribution of narcotics without permission. He was handed over to Koh Phangan Police Station investigators for further legal proceedings.
During questioning, investigators learned that the suspect was a major drug dealer on Koh Phangan who also distributed cocaine to other tourist destinations including Phuket and Krabi. He reportedly sold cocaine in 1-gram packages for 6,000 baht ($175) each, with additional charges for deliveries to other provinces. The suspect avoided using postal services to evade detection by authorities, instead employing couriers for deliveries.
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