Chinese drug fugitive arrested in condo raid in Thailand

A Chinese fugitive accused of shipping narcotics to China has been arrested in Thailand.

Wang allegedly acted as an investor and supplier for the transnational drug network as he sourced marijuana and illegal drugs from Thailand.

He was said to have operated in Thailand, arranging 80kg shipments to be smuggled by sea to China, where they were sold at far higher prices.

Immigration and anti-narcotics police tracked him down following intel from authorities in Beijing, China, who were hunting the alleged financier.

Police said Wang had been identified as a suspect in a drug trafficking case in China and was believed to be hiding in Thailand. He entered the country through the Satun immigration checkpoint on June 22, and later obtained a marriage-based extension valid until October 8.

Investigators traced him to several locations in Satun and Bangkok before finding him at a luxury house in the capital's Krungthep Kreetha area.

A search warrant was obtained from the Min Buri Criminal Court on September 30.

Officers raided the property on Thursday morning and found Wang with a Thai woman.

They seized more than 13 items believed to be linked to the alleged criminal operation, including mobile phones, bank passbooks and ATM cards.

A check of his financial records allegedly found more than 50 million baht had been deposited into his accounts within just a few months.

Investigators said they would continue examining the financial transactions and the wider drug trafficking network.

Wang's permission to remain in Thailand was revoked under the Immigration Act as authorities branded him a 'threat to public safety and national security'.

Officers also informed him that he was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by Chinese authorities. He and the Thai woman were taken into custody for legal proceedings, as he faces deportation to China.

Police Lieutenant General Noppasin Poolsawat, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau said the operation was part of a wider crackdown on foreign fugitives using Thailand as a hideout.

He said: 'We are working closely with domestic and international security agencies to track down and arrest people wanted under international arrest warrants. We will take firm legal action against any foreign national who threatens national security or public order.'