Nigerian, Three Others Arrested in Bangkok Cocaine Bust

Police in Bangkok, Thailand, have arrested four suspects, including a Nigerian national, over an alleged cocaine trafficking network operating within the city’s nightlife districts.

The Nigerian suspect, identified as Nwaiwu Ifeanyi Placid, 46, was described by authorities as the alleged kingpin of the syndicate. According to Sayam Boonsom, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Placid was apprehended near Silom Soi 1 after officers tracked his movements.
 

Police said approximately 27 grammes of cocaine were recovered from him at the point of arrest. Three other suspects — Thomas Giubibini, a Swiss national, and two Thai citizens, Thanayot Asawamethi, 35, and Nattawat Wangkitjinda, 34 — were also taken into custody.

In total, about 30 grammes of cocaine were seized during the operation. Other items recovered include a vehicle, Thai currency equivalent to about ₦65 million, foreign currency valued at roughly ₦630,000, and jewellery estimated at ₦17 million.

Authorities said the arrests followed earlier operations targeting drug networks linked to foreign nationals. An initial raid on October 26 reportedly led to the arrest of nine Nigerian suspects connected to a Nana-based network. Subsequent investigations identified another suspect, known as “Patrick,” as a key figure in the syndicate.

Police said the suspect had lived in Thailand for over 17 years and allegedly used a sham marriage as a cover for illicit activities. The network was said to have operated through encrypted chat platforms to coordinate drug sales.

Officers disclosed that they infiltrated the communication channels, tracked the suspect’s movements, and carried out the arrest. Police added that the suspect initially resisted arrest but was subdued and later confessed to the charges.