Nigerian 'cocaine dealer' arrested in police sting at shopping mall
A Nigerian suspect was arrested in a police sting for allegedly selling cocaine in Thailand.
The alleged drug dealer, Hisom, 32, was said to have been supplying illegal drugs to tourists in central Bangkok.
Immigration police launched a sting following a tip-off that an 'African drug gang' was operating in the area.
An undercover officer contacted Hisom to buy 1.06 ounces (30 grams) of cocaine for 75,000 baht at a mall in the Ratchada area, on October 11.
When the suspect arrived and began speaking to the agent, police identified themselves as immigration police and searched him.
They allegedly found marked cash used in the sting operation, along with cocaine packages weighing 0.8 ounces (22.39 grams) and wrapped in black tape.
Hisom allegedly admitted the drugs belonged to him, telling officers he had obtained them from a foreign acquaintance whose identity was still being investigated.
Immigration records showed he had entered Thailand through Suvarnabhumi International Airport on May 23 and was legally permitted to remain in the country until November 1.
Police seized the cocaine and a black Infinix mobile phone as evidence.
Police Colonel Thawatchai Narinrat, superintendent of Investigation Division 1 of the Immigration Bureau, said Hisom was charged with illegally distributing Category 2 narcotics.
He added: ‘The suspect has been handed over to investigators at Huai Khwang Police Station for further legal proceedings. We urge the public to report any suspicious activities or offences involving foreign nationals to the Immigration Bureau hotline.'
The arrest comes as police continue to crack down on Nigerian drug gangs in Thailand, some of which are allegedly linked to romance scams.
In a separate case in June, police arrested two Nigerian men and a Thai woman accused of luring women into relationships online before recruiting them as drug couriers.
Earlier this year, police arrested alleged Nigerian drug kingpin Patrick, 47, who allegedly posed as a pastor while running a cocaine syndicate supplying high-end clients.
Officers seized millions of baht hidden in his bathroom ceiling along with luxury watches and accessories, cocaine, and foreign currencies during raids linked to the network.
While on June 9, alleged Nigerian drug kingpin Patrick, 36, was arrested at a luxury condominium in Bangkok.
He allegedly tried to ram his way through a police blockade during a raid targeting the Dodorima criminal network, an African-led syndicate linked to drug trafficking and romance scams.
