Thai immigration police have arrested a 21-year-old Nigerian man in Bangkok following a drug sting operation and found he had overstayed his permission to stay, by 206 days. The suspect, identified as Mr Louis Junior, was detained after allegedly attempting to sell cocaine to an undercover informant in Ramkhamhaeng Soi 44. Authorities said the arrest forms part of an ongoing crackdown on foreign nationals linked to drug-related offences.
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The operation was conducted on 1 May 2026 after investigators received a tip-off about a foreign man allegedly dealing drugs. An undercover source arranged to buy 40 grams of cocaine at 2,500 baht per gram, totalling 100,000 baht, with a meeting scheduled for 18:00. When the suspect arrived to complete the transaction, he became aware of the police presence and fled, jumping over a metal fence into a nearby vacant area.
Police from Investigation Division 1 pursued the suspect for more than two hours. He was eventually found at around 00:30 on 2 May hiding in a water ditch. No drugs were recovered, as officers believe he discarded them while attempting to escape.
Further checks revealed that Mr Louis Junior had entered Thailand via Suvarnabhumi Airport on 12 April 2025. He had been granted an extension of stay for educational purposes at a private university until 8 October 2025. Officials confirmed he had remained in the country illegally for 206 days beyond that date.
The Immigration Bureau stated that the arrest aligns with directives from senior officials, including Pol Lt Gen Phanumart Boonyalak, to intensify monitoring of foreign nationals with suspected links to criminal activity. Authorities noted that enforcement efforts are ongoing against individuals with arrest warrants or involvement in narcotics.
The suspect has been handed over to investigators to face charges of overstaying his visa. Police said further inquiries will be conducted to identify any wider network involved in drug distribution.
Thaitabloid reported that authorities plan to expand the investigation to track down possible accomplices and dismantle any associated trafficking operations. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to strict enforcement of immigration and drug laws.
Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 3 May 2026