Two Thailand-based Nigerians arrested for cocaine peddling
The Thailand police have arrested a Nigerian identified as Mbanaso for selling cocaine to a local tourist and now faces a jail term of up to two years.
This is just as another Nigerian identified simply as George was arrested for possession of cocaine substance and dangerous driving.
PUNCH Metro gathered from the website of a Thailand media, Khasod, on Wednesday, that the suspect was arrested following the arrest of a Swiss tourist who confessed that he purchased the drug from Mbanaso.
The report noted that following the Swiss confession on March 9, the police swooped on Mbanaso and arrested him near a local police station on Monday.
It read, “The tourist, identified only as Mr. Sascha, voluntarily entered drug rehabilitation and provided information to Kamala Police about his drug supplier.
“Sascha implicated a 32-year-old Nigerian national named Mbanaso, claiming he had purchased cocaine from him multiple times through WhatsApp, with payments made via bank transfers.
“On March 10, police conducted a sting operation and arrested Mbanaso at the entrance of Kamala Police Station at 9:40 p.m. with 0.82 grams of cocaine.”
The report noted that Mbanaso might be sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine or both.
“He faces charges of distributing Category 2 narcotics, which carries penalties of up to two years imprisonment, a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht or both,” the report noted.
On the arrest of George, the report highlighted that he and one other suspect were allegedly driving at top speed when police operatives tracked them to a location on Wednesday.
It noted that upon their arrest and subsequent investigation, the police discovered that George was an illegal resident who had overstayed his visa in the country and was on the wanted list for possession of cocaine.
It added that the suspect alongside his unidentified accomplice was allegedly intoxicated and uncooperative with the police at the time of their arrest.
It read, “On the night of March 11, Phuket City Police received reports of a Mazda car being driven recklessly, spinning in circles at traffic lights from Koh Kaew to Darasamut intersection. Thalang traffic officers pursued the vehicle but were initially unable to apprehend it as it sped along Chaloem Phra Kiat Rama 9 Bypass Road toward Central Junction.
“The suspects appeared intoxicated and were uncooperative, unable to communicate in English despite police using translation applications.
“One suspect was later identified as Mr George, a Nigerian national, wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court on August 21, 2023, for overstaying his visa and possession of Category 2 narcotics (cocaine),” the report noted.
