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Canadian Drug Suspect Arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Georgealbert
· 559 views

A 37-year-old Canadian man wanted in an international drug trafficking case was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 22 April 2026 as he attempted to leave Thailand. Immigration Police Division 3 officers detained the suspect, identified as Mr. Wesley, after tracking him from Pattaya to the airport. Authorities confirmed he is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued by South Korea.

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The arrest followed an investigation into a transnational drug network operating in Pattaya. Officers moved to apprehend Mr. Wesley at his residence, but he fled by car towards Suvarnabhumi Airport in an apparent attempt to escape the country. Police pursued and located him in the international departures hall, where he was mingling with other passengers while preparing to check-in.

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Checks through Interpol databases had revealed his status as a wanted individual. South Korean authorities are seeking his arrest for alleged involvement in cross-border narcotics smuggling. Immigration officers conducted biometric verification, which confirmed his identity matched the Red Notice.

Following confirmation, authorities revoked his permission to stay in Thailand under Section 12(7) of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). The operation was carried out under directives from Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumart Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, who have prioritised crackdowns on transnational crime.

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Pictures courtesy of Naewna

Officials stated the arrest reflects ongoing efforts to prevent foreign criminals from using Thailand as a base while posing as tourists. The case is also seen as part of broader cooperation between Thai authorities and international law enforcement agencies to combat global drug trafficking networks.

Naewna reported that Mr. Wesley remains in custody as authorities prepare procedures for deportation. Thai officials are coordinating closely with South Korean counterparts to arrange his transfer to face legal proceedings. The case is expected to proceed in line with international protocols for extradition or deportation of wanted individuals.

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image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now Naewna 24 Apr 2026

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    JoseThailand Gold Member

    JoseThailand

    Advanced Member
    10 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

    The case is expected to proceed in line with international protocols for extradition or deportation of wanted individuals.

    At least he is wanted somewhere so he will not have to pay for his deportation

    Liverpool Lou Star Member

    Liverpool Lou

    Advanced Member
    42 minutes ago, impulse said:

    We've just seen an example of how they work. Korea posted one, and the guy's in custody in Thailand.

    Which begs the question...

    Begs which question?...the question of why no other countries are interested in apprehending him for a traffic offence?

    RTP has no jurisdiction outside its borders so you can't possibly be suggesting that they are paying off overseas police forces, can you?

    GammaGlobulin Star Member

    GammaGlobulin

    Advanced Member
    2 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

    ...but those police forces you refer to do not have to act on a red notice, they are advisories, that's all, and they're unlikely to get involved with an arrest for a traffic offence.

    You mean something like a speeding ticket?

    What about making a left turn on RED?

    Have you ever done that?

    Liverpool Lou Star Member

    Liverpool Lou

    Advanced Member
    2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:
    4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

    ...but those police forces you refer to do not have to act on a red notice, they are advisories, that's all, and they're unlikely to get involved with an arrest for a traffic offence.

    You mean something like a speeding ticket?

    No, I don't, I mean the traffic offence for which is actually charged

    wensiensheng Platinum Member

    wensiensheng

    Advanced Member
    14 hours ago, Kenny Boy said:

    Never seem to arrest them when they arrive.

    Always once they’re here or when leaving.

    Weird.

    My thought exactly. How was he not caught on arrival?

    It’s all very well moaning about badly behaved farang but if you can’t even stop KNOWN criminals coming in, you get what you deserve

    jacko45k Star Member

    jacko45k

    Advanced Member
    21 hours ago, Kenny Boy said:

    Never seem to arrest them when they arrive.

    Always once they’re here or when leaving.

    Weird.

    They have not yet figured out how to get them to hand over their wallets on arrival!

    GroveHillWanderer Platinum Member

    GroveHillWanderer

    Advanced Member
    On 4/24/2026 at 2:37 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

    The notice for Vorayuth (there was no "kid" involved} was issued and, presumably, is still in force but if overseas police forces disregard the notice and won't arrest him for a traffic offense nothing can be done.

    As far as I'm aware, it's not still in force, it appears it was withdrawn when all charges against him were dropped in 2020.

    Thailand drops charges in Red Bull heir case that stirred anger about impunity

    Warrants for the arrest, including an Interpol red notice, of Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, whose whereabouts are not known, will be withdrawn, police said.

    https://www.reuters.com/article/world/thailand-drops-charges-in-red-bull-heir-case-that-stirred-anger-about-impunity-idUSKCN24P0NP/

    Liverpool Lou Star Member

    Liverpool Lou

    Advanced Member
    On 4/25/2026 at 5:30 PM, GroveHillWanderer said:

    The notice for Vorayuth (there was no "kid" involved} was issued and, presumably, is still in force but if overseas police forces disregard the notice and won't arrest him for a traffic offense nothing can be done.

    As far as I'm aware, it's not still in force, it appears it was withdrawn when all charges against him were dropped in 2020

    "...it's not still in force..."

    What is your evidence for that claim? Charges were dropped in July 2020 but reinstated in October as, apparently, was the red notice...

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/04/interpol-issues-red-notice-for-thai-red-bull-heir-over-fatal-hit-and-run-vorayuth-yoovidhya

    https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/crime/wheres-boss-interpol-red-notice-issued-to-nab-the-red-bull-heir

    CallumWK Diamond Member

    CallumWK

    Advanced Member
    On 4/24/2026 at 7:02 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

    No, I don't, I mean the traffic offence for which is actually charged

    The red notice isn't for just a traffic offence, it is for a fatal hit-and-run

    BusyB Platinum Member

    BusyB

    Advanced Member
    On 4/24/2026 at 3:05 AM, Kenny Boy said:

    Never seem to arrest them when they arrive.

    Always once they’re here or when leaving.

    Weird.

    Perhaps there's a smart cop in charge who wants to see who he hangs out with and where. Possibly pick him up at the airport on his way out with a huge stash if they're lucky.

    Liverpool Lou Star Member

    Liverpool Lou

    Advanced Member
    2 minutes ago, CallumWK said:
    n 4/24/2026 at 7:02 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

    No, I don't, I mean the traffic offence for which is actually charged

    The red notice isn't for just a traffic offence, it is for a fatal hit-and-run

    ... no, it is not, it is for 'reckless driving causing death' which is a traffic offence.

    Liverpool Lou Star Member

    Liverpool Lou

    Advanced Member
    On 4/24/2026 at 3:30 PM, impulse said:
    On 4/24/2026 at 2:50 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

    It would be better to follow how Interpol notices actually work.

    We've just seen an example of how they work. Korea posted one, and the guy's in custody in Thailand

    We've also seen an example of how they work, Thailand issued two and no other countries are interested in apprehending him.

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