Two Nigerians Arrested in Thailand for Drug Trafficking After Attempting to Swallow Cocaine to Destroy Evidence

Pattaya, Thailand — Two Nigerian men, Amarachi and Ikenna, have been arrested in Pattaya, Thailand, after being caught in a police sting operation targeting drug trafficking.

Chonburi Immigration, working alongside Pattaya City Police, conducted the operation in the Jomtien area on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Authorities recovered 33 grams of crystal meth, commonly known as “ice,” and 9 grams of cocaine, which were hidden in cigarette packs and toothpaste boxes.

During the arrest, one of the suspects attempted to swallow small pellets of cocaine to destroy evidence. Officers acted quickly and retrieved the drugs before they could be ingested.

Further investigations revealed that Amarachi and Ikenna are linked to a larger Nigerian-led drug trafficking network operating in Bangkok, particularly around Nana Plaza. The network reportedly uses the “mouth-concealment method” to smuggle drugs and evade detection. Both suspects had entered Thailand on tourist visas and overstayed.

The arrests follow a related undercover operation in Bangkok on October 26, 2025, when Bangkok Metropolitan Police and narcotics suppression units, disguised as construction workers, raided Sukhumvit 11 in the Nana district. The raid led to the arrest of eight Nigerians and one Thai accomplice, exposing a similar pattern of drug smuggling and distribution using the mouth-concealment method. Officers seized several grams of cocaine, mobile phones used for transactions, and cash proceeds.

Intelligence from the Bangkok operation directly led to the Pattaya arrests, highlighting the reach of the transnational drug network.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, said, “We will relentlessly crack down on all forms of transnational crime, restoring safety to Pattaya and tourists worldwide.”

Authorities described the arrests as a significant blow to cross-border drug syndicates and pledged continued vigilance to protect Thailand’s nightlife districts and visitors from such criminal operations.