Thai police arrested a 46-year-old Nigerian, Nwaiwu Ifeanyi, during a night raid on Saturday after finding 1.5 million baht — about N67 million — hidden in the ceiling of his bathroom.
Ifeanyi is accused of supplying cocaine in Bangkok. Officers tracked his movements and picked him up near Silom Soi 1, recovering about 27 grams of cocaine from him, Khaosod English reported Monday.
Three other suspects linked to the same ring were also detained on drug possession charges: Swiss national Thomas Giubibini, and Thai citizens Thanayot Asawamethi, 35, and Nattawat Wangkitjinda, 34.
In total, police seized roughly 30g of cocaine, a car, 1.5 million baht cash, foreign currency worth 15,000 baht, and jewellery valued at 400,000 baht.
Police said Ifeanyi had lived in Thailand for over 17 years on a family visa obtained through a Thai spouse. Investigators suspect the marriage was arranged to provide legal cover for his activities.
According to the report, Ifeanyi allegedly coordinated sales through encrypted chat groups. Officers infiltrated the groups, tracked him, and moved in. He resisted arrest and was physically restrained before later confessing to the charges, police said.
The raid comes less than three months after another Nigerian in Thailand, Ukoma Nuzbech, was arrested for allegedly jumping bail in a separate cocaine case. Nuzbech was first picked up in March 2025 for allegedly selling 25.71g of cocaine to an undercover officer. He was released on bail, failed to appear in court, and allegedly continued trafficking.
Ifeanyi and the three other suspects remain in Thai custody. The case underscores growing scrutiny of West African drug networks in Bangkok, where police have linked encrypted apps and sham marriages to recent busts.
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