Thai police have arrested two Nigerian men linked to a drug network operating across Bangkok and Pattaya.
Officers seized cocaine and crystal meth after a sting operation that followed weeks of surveillance.
Thai authorities have arrested two Nigerian nationals believed to be part of a major drug trafficking network operating across Bangkok and Pattaya. The suspects, identified as Amarachi and Ikenna, were apprehended during a sting operation conducted by Chonburi Immigration officers in collaboration with Pattaya City Police on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
The operation followed weeks of surveillance and coordination with Bangkok Metropolitan Police. Officers seized 33 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 9 grams of cocaine concealed inside cigarette packets and toothpaste boxes. During the arrest, one of the suspects attempted to swallow small pellets of cocaine in a desperate bid to destroy evidence, but officers quickly intervened and recovered the drugs.
Police investigations revealed that the two men were connected to a broader network of foreign nationals, mostly Nigerians, based around Bangkok’s Nana Plaza. Members of the group reportedly used the “mouth-concealment” method to transport and sell drugs while evading security checks.
Both suspects had entered Thailand on tourist visas but had overstayed their permits. The arrests in Pattaya followed an earlier undercover operation in Bangkok on October 26, 2025, where officers disguised as construction workers raided Sukhumvit Soi 11 in the Nana district. That raid led to the arrest of eight Nigerian suspects and a Thai accomplice, along with the seizure of cocaine, crystal meth, and cash proceeds.
Authorities believe both operations are linked, describing them as part of a wider transnational drug syndicate using Thailand’s entertainment hubs as cover for illegal trade. Officials said the coordinated effort between police divisions was a major success against cross-border criminal activities.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, said the police will continue to pursue international drug networks threatening Thailand’s public safety. He reaffirmed the commitment to ensure that tourist cities like Pattaya remain secure for both residents and visitors.
