British man, accused of drug dealing, arrested in Phuket

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: MGR Online

 

British authorities, in collaboration with Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division, have successfully tracked down and arrested a 28-year-old British national, Mr. Ben, who had fled England after being sentenced to life imprisonment for drug trafficking offences. The arrest took place today (September 2nd) at a restaurant in Rawai, a district in Phuket.

 

Mr. Ben was indicted in the UK on multiple charges, including conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, and ketamine, as well as possessing property derived from criminal activities.

 

After his conviction, he escaped to Thailand in 2022. Since then, he had been living under the radar, adopting a new identity as a boxer named "Billy" and renting a luxury pool villa and a condominium in Phuket.

 

Acting on an extradition request from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), Thai authorities initiated a thorough investigation. Their efforts paid off when they located Mr. Ben competing in local boxing matches at a Phuket stadium.

He had concealed his past well, blending into the local community and making it challenging for officials to trace him.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Montree Thesakan, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, along with Pol. Col. Phattharawut Onchuai and Pol. Lt. Col. Phongsak Meemusik, led the operation that resulted in Mr. Ben’s capture.

 

Despite his arrest, Mr. Ben denied all charges laid against him during the initial interrogation. No immediate statements were made available to the press, nor was it confirmed if he had legal representation in Thailand.

 

Picture courtesy: MGR Online

 

The arrest signifies a robust partnership between British and Thai law enforcement, highlighting their dedication to apprehending international fugitives, reported MGR Online.

 

Mr. Ben has been handed over to the Office of the Attorney General for the legal process and is expected to be extradited back to the UK shortly.

 

This case serves as a stern warning to those who believe they can evade justice by hiding abroad. The remarkable coordination exhibited by both countries underscores the efficacy of international cooperation in tackling serious crime.

 

 

-- 2024-09-03

 

 

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[hotchilli]

Back to Blighty, your holiday and freedom are over...

[luckymitchell]

Not really living 'under the radar' if renting a luxury pool Villa and competing in boxing matches. 

I've not heard of a life sentence for selling drugs before either. Some misreporting there I would imagine

[mokwit]

8 minutes ago, luckymitchell said:

I've not heard of a life sentence for selling drugs before either.

Wholesaling Class A, Heroin and Cocaine.

[ChipButty]

Something is not right here, Life for drug trafficking? don't think so, 

[lou norman]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

This case serves as a stern warning to those who believe they can evade justice by hiding abroad.

Unless you are a Red Bull Boy, I guess.

[Rocking Robert]

I always wonder how many lives and families have been Destroyed by those drugs

[sandrew33]

13 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Something is not right here, Life for drug trafficking? don't think so, 

Class A + Dealing = life is the maximum penalty. 

[thesetat2013]

I Do not think I will ever understand why people who know they can be found and extradited back to their country to face severe criminal charges do not flee to countries that do not follow extradition laws. 

Why go to Thailand to pretend to be someone else and in hiding when you can go to a country that does not care about what you did in your country. Stupidity befalls stupidity so let him rot in prison now. 

[ChipButty]

2 minutes ago, sandrew33 said:

Class A + Dealing = life is the maximum penalty. 

Is that in the UK? 

[ChipButty]

1 minute ago, thesetat2013 said:

I Do not think I will ever understand why people who know they can be found and extradited back to their country to face severe criminal charges do not flee to countries that do not follow extradition laws. 

Why go to Thailand to pretend to be someone else and in hiding when you can go to a country that does not care about what you did in your country. Stupidity befalls stupidity so let him rot in prison now. 

Where do you suggest, Afghanistan?

[luckymitchell]

23 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Wholesaling Class A, Heroin and Cocaine.

Still not heard of a life sentence for that

[TheFishman1]

What is the time police and the British police are working so closely together I’ll come. They haven’t brought back the Red Bull kid. He’s been in London many times TIT.

[itsari]

14 minutes ago, Rocking Robert said:

I always wonder how many lives and families have been Destroyed by those drugs

Probably feel as bad as the companies producing cigarettes and alcohol 

[luckymitchell]

15 minutes ago, Rocking Robert said:

I always wonder how many lives and families have been Destroyed by those drugs

The opioid crisis in the US has destroyed more in recent times

[Mitker]

13 minutes ago, thesetat2013 said:

I Do not think I will ever understand why people who know they can be found and extradited back to their country to face severe criminal charges do not flee to countries that do not follow extradition laws. 

Why go to Thailand to pretend to be someone else and in hiding when you can go to a country that does not care about what you did in your country. Stupidity befalls stupidity so let him rot in prison now. 

was he the smartest guy around, he'd deserve the same fate in my opinion

[Dublin14]

Now know as BILLY NO MATE'S 

lock the scumbag up for life in the grand Bangkok Hilton!

[thesetat2013]

27 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Where do you suggest, Afghanistan?

 

[2long]

He has denied it, and we only have the name 'Ben.'

There's still a (very remote) chance that they've got the wrong guy. Innocent until proven guilty and all that.

 

Anyway, this reminds me of a Stephen Leather novel, based in Pattaya.

[loong]

12 minutes ago, Dublin14 said:

Now know as BILLY NO MATE'S 

lock the scumbag up for life in the grand Bangkok Hilton!

For offenses committed in the UK??

[steven100]

good job ..... lock the drug pusher up for ever.   no loss there ... 

[Smokey and the Bandit]

8 minutes ago, thesetat2013 said:

 

Vietnam would be OK,not so much North Korea?🙄

[Ironmike]

It's so funny that most of the British criminals come here to escape prison there was another child molester just sent back after living here for over a decade I love to hear about these scum being sent back to rot but I would love to hear about red bull boy being sent back here. 

[khunjeff]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Ben...had fled England after being sentenced to life imprisonment

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

After his conviction, he escaped to Thailand

 

How on earth was he out and about after being convicted and handed a life sentence? 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He had concealed his past well, blending into the local community and making it challenging for officials to trace him.

 

With the TM-30, 90 day reports, and biometrics, they should have been able to go directly to his home with no effort at all! 

 

23 minutes ago, thesetat2013 said:

 

 

The lack of an extradition treaty does not mean that a country won't turn over fugitives, it just means they're under no obligation to do so.

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, luckymitchell said:

Still not heard of a life sentence for that

You have know.

 

28 years old, he will be popular.

Passed around for a while until settling down with one husband who will protect him. 
 

is Ben from Dover?

[chrisbangkok]

Mr Benn entered a fancy dress shop and leaves via a magic backdoor to a World of adventure... I know this'll bamboozle most on here , google will help 555.

Back in time for winter and hopefully a cold cell in an HMP somewhere . 

[MalcolmB]

13 minutes ago, Ironmike said:

but I would love to hear about red bull boy being sent back here. 

Why do you care about the Red Bull Boss?

it was a cop that died, Boss paid the family off, they accepted it as is normal and acceptable here. 
And it was an accident, he did not intend to kill the cop who was out of his car on the motorway at night.

Ben was intentionally breaking the law to enrich himself.

 

Huge difference

[RichardColeman]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Ben, who had fled England after being sentenced to life imprisonment for drug trafficking offences.

That I find extremely hard to believe - you do not get more than 3-5 years for stabbing someone

[SAFETY FIRST]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

British national, Mr. Ben, who had fled England after being sentenced to life imprisonment for drug trafficking offences

Your typical foreigner coming to Thailand these days. 

 

[NE1]

6 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

And it was an accident, he did not intend to kill the cop who was out of his car on the motorway at night.

Police Sergeant-Major Wichian Klanprasert was riding his motorbike along Bangkok's Sukhumvit Road when he was hit by a grey Ferrari, which dragged his body more than 100m (109yds) down the road, before driving off.