An extensive search of his room led to the seizure of cocaine and about 2.4 million baht in cash hidden in the bathroom ceiling.
Video footage, later released by police, shows officers rushing towards the suspect as he attempted to get into a black minivan before being detained. The Nigerian faces multiple charges, including possession of cocaine with intent to sell.
The police have said that the suspect has lived in Thailand for more than 17 years and has a Thai wife in what authorities described as a sham marriage.
Police reported that the man broke down in tears after his arrest, pleading to return home and expressing his fear of dying in a Thai prison.
In his initial statement, the suspect admitted to the charges, saying he was shocked to be caught after operating for so long. He also claimed he did not expect police to find the money hidden in the ceiling, adding that the cash originated from Nigeria and was kept there for safekeeping rather than concealment.
Police said that, in separate raids, they arrested three more suspects in connection with the Nigerian’s network, including a 60-year-old Swiss man, Thomas, in Nonthaburi province as officers seized 0.87 grams of cocaine from Thomas.
Two Thai nationals, ‘Yot’, 35, and ‘Nat’, 34, were also detained in the Rama III area of Bangkok in the operation in which authorities seized approximately 30 grams of cocaine, one vehicle and millions of baht in cash in various currencies.
