Austrian Cocaine Suspect Held in Sattahip

Pictures courtesy of SiamNews

An Austrian man wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for alleged involvement in a cocaine-trafficking network has been arrested at a hotel in Sattahip district, Chon Buri. Immigration police apprehended the 23-year-old suspect, identified only as Mr Fabio, at around 3.50pm on 11 February 2026 shortly after he checked in at a hotel in tambon Na Jomtien. His Thai permission to stay, has since been revoked and he is awaiting extradition to Austria to face legal proceedings.

Get today's headlines by email

The arrest follows an order by Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalug, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, directing all units to intensify inspections of areas with large foreign populations under the “Turn Back Crimes” initiative. The policy targets foreign nationals who may be evading prosecution abroad or seeking to cause unrest in Thailand, with close coordination between Thai authorities and international security agencies.

According to Pol Maj Gen Cheongron Rimpadee, spokesman for the Immigration Bureau, and Pol Col Ratchachot Chotikoon, deputy commander of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division, officers acted after nearly two weeks of investigation and surveillance. The operation was led by Pol Col Thawatchai Narinrat, Superintendent of Division 1, Investigation Division, under the direction of senior bureau officials.

Austrian federal police had requested assistance from the Royal Thai Police in locating Mr Fabio, who is subject to a European Union arrest warrant issued by the public prosecutor’s office in Wiener Neustadt on 28 January 2026. An Interpol Red Notice was issued on 30 January 2026. Authorities said the suspect entered Thailand under a visa-exemption scheme before the Red Notice was uploaded to the system.

Mr Fabio is accused of being a member of a cocaine-trafficking network in Austria and of supplying drugs to several dealers who were later arrested. Police reportedly seized a total of 1.5 kilogrammes of cocaine in connection with the case. He also faces charges of serious physical assault and attempted murder.

SiamNews reported that officials said the arrest forms part of an ongoing crackdown on foreign fugitives attempting to use Thailand as a hideout. The Immigration Bureau reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with international partners to track and apprehend suspects wanted overseas.

Key Takeaways

• A 23-year-old Austrian suspect was arrested in Na Jomtien on 11 February 2026 under an Interpol Red Notice.

• He is accused of involvement in a cocaine-trafficking network linked to the seizure of 1.5 kilogrammes of cocaine.

• His Thai permission to stay has been revoked and he is awaiting extradition to Austria.

Related stories

Uzbek-woman-held-in-Pattaya-on-interpol-red-notice

Immigration-police-arrest-alleged-Chinese-scam-boss-Jack-Yang

Join the discussion?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now Siamnews 14 Feb 2026