Undercover law enforcement personnel made contact with the suspect by utilising the commonly used messaging software WhatsApp.
The arrest of a Nigerian man who is accused of being a prominent role in the cocaine trade on the tropical island of Koh Phangan, which is located in Thailand, has taken place.
The arrest, which took place on the evening of Saturday, March 1, 2025, next to the Pantip Plaza market in the Moo 1 subdistrict of Koh Phangan neighborhood, highlights the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Thailand’s dynamic tourist areas.
Due to intelligence reports that detailed a Black foreign national selling narcotics to visitors, the Tourist Police Department initiated an investigation that focused on Ugonna J., who is 37 years old (his surname has been concealed).
A covert operation was carried out by the authorities after they had carefully monitored Ugonna’s activities.
Undercover law enforcement personnel made contact with the suspect by utilising the commonly used messaging software WhatsApp.
They pretended to be interested in obtaining cocaine. For the purpose of the operation, a meeting was scheduled to take place close to the lively Pantip Plaza market, which was a location well picked.
In the vicinity of the chosen area, surveillance teams were stationed. A member of the undercover police force received the illegal material from Ugonna when he arrived at the meeting place.
Before identifying themselves and apprehending the culprit, the police quickly came to the conclusion that the material in question was cocaine.
A big haul was obtained as a result of the arrest, which consisted of 25.71 grams of cocaine for an estimated value of roughly 240,000 baht (USD 7,000). A black Mazda 2 automobile and two mobile phones were also taken into custody by the authorities.
It is possible that these items contained essential evidence that was connected to the suspected drug network that Ugonna was involved in.
In addition to being charged with illegal distribution of narcotics without permission, the defendant is also accused of possessing a Category 2 narcotic with the purpose to sell it.
Investigators are working to construct their case while he is being held at the Koh Phangan Police Station, where he is now being protected. Ugowma’s suspected operations were investigated further, which led to a more complete picture being disclosed.
His distribution network is apparently extended to other prominent tourist sites like as Phuket and Krabi, according to the information that investigators have obtained. He is accused of being a big cocaine dealer on the island of Koh Phangan.
Individual packages of one gram of cocaine were allegedly sold by him at a price of 6,000 baht (about $175 USD), with additional fees added for deliveries to other regions.
According to reports, he avoided utilizing postal services and instead relied on couriers to transfer drugs in order to avoid being caught by police officials.
In spite of the fact that it was more expensive, this technology provided an additional layer of security from detection. In the ongoing efforts that law enforcement is making to combat drug trafficking in Thailand’s tourist zones, the arrest, according to the police, constitutes a big win for law enforcement.
In addition, it sheds light on the unique strategies that the police have utilized in order to tackle this complicated problem. These strategies include the use of digital communication channels such as WhatsApp and undercover investigations.
In the meantime, the authorities are continuing their investigation in an effort to dismantle the narcotics network and bring all of those implicated to court.