BANGKOK — Immigration police announced the arrest of three Chinese nationals in separate operations across Bangkok, including one wanted for transnational drug trafficking, another for drug possession, and a third for overstaying who was discovered to be wanted by Chinese authorities for fraud involving over 500 million baht ($15.4 million).
In the first case involving narcotics, police arrested two suspects. The first, identified by surname Li, aged 34, was wanted on transnational criminal charges for drug trafficking under an international arrest warrant. The second suspect, Mr. Yu, aged 39, was found with significant quantities of illegal drugs.
Police seized 418 methamphetamine pills, 1.05 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ice), and two sets of drug paraphernalia during the operation.
Caught One, Led to Another
Deputy Commissioner of Immigration Police Pol. Lt. Gen. Panthana Nuchanart explained that the Attorney General’s Office had notified the Royal Thai Police following a request from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand for Li’s extradition to face drug trafficking charges in China.
Following a court-approved search warrant, immigration officers tracked Li to a residence in the Nakhon Niwat 48 area of Ladprao 71, Ladprao District, Bangkok. The search revealed Li living in the house with Yu found in a second-floor bedroom where the drugs were discovered hidden under a bed.
Officers also discovered nitrous oxide gas canisters – 152 small canisters and 6 large ones – along with 92 gas nozzles and multiple balloons. Li claimed he purchased the items from the RCA area for personal use.
Officers will extradite Li as a transnational criminal to face prosecution in the People’s Republic of China, while Yu has been transferred to investigators at Chokchai Police Station to face charges of illegal consumption and possession of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine and ice).
Major Fraud Case Uncovered
In a separate overstay investigation, immigration police received intelligence about a residence in Soi Sirithawar on Rama 9 Road, Suan Luang District, where multiple Chinese nationals were suspected of illegal activities.
A court-authorized search led to the arrest of Ms. Hong, aged 53, a Chinese national found without proper documentation. Immigration records showed she had overstayed her permitted time in Thailand by 337 days.
Multi-Million Baht Investment Scam
Coordination with the Chinese Embassy revealed that Hong operated as a businesswoman who co-founded Zhongguo Finance company, which offered investment platform services ranging from 7,000 to 100,000 yuan. However, authorities determined the entire operation was fraudulent.
Investigation showed the company had handled capital flows worth over 100 million yuan, equivalent to more than 500 million baht, before the scheme collapsed.
Following completion of overstay proceedings, Hong will be handed over to Chinese authorities to face fraud charges.
The arrests highlight ongoing cooperation between Thai and Chinese law enforcement agencies in combating transnational crime involving narcotics trafficking and financial fraud.
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