Thai Police Arrest Nigerian Man, Seize Drugs and Cash in Bangkok Nightlife Crackdown

Thai police have arrested a 46-year-old Nigerian man accused of running a cocaine trafficking operation in the capital’s entertainment districts.

The suspect, Nwaiwu Ifeanyi Placid, was apprehended near Silom Soi 1 on Saturday night, according to Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Sayam Boonsom. Officers reportedly seized about 27 grammes of cocaine during the arrest.

Three others were also detained on drug-related charges: a Swiss national identified as Thomas Giubibini, and two Thai suspects, Thanayot Asawamethi, 35, and Nattawat Wangkitjinda, 34.

Authorities said the operation yielded a total of roughly 30 grammes of cocaine, along with a car, 1.5 million baht in cash, foreign currency worth 15,000 baht, and jewellery valued at 400,000 baht.

Police linked the latest arrests to previous crackdowns targeting the same network. In October last year, officers posing as construction workers dismantled a drug ring in the Nana area, arresting nine Nigerian suspects. Another raid on January 23 led to further arrests and the seizure of assets exceeding 7 million baht.

Investigators later identified another Nigerian man, known only as “Patrick,” aged 47, as a key figure in the syndicate. Police said he had lived in Thailand for at least 17 years and allegedly operated a “middleman‑free” drug network. Officers infiltrated his communication channels and tracked his movements before making arrests.

Deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee said the suspect resisted arrest and had to be subdued by officers. He later reportedly confessed to the charges.

Police said investigations are ongoing, and all suspects remain in custody.