Immigration Bureau police announced the arrest of a 36-year-old Nigerian national suspected of drug trafficking following a targeted sting operation in Bangkok. The suspect was detained after a tip-off triggered surveillance that identified his activities in the Inthamara area.
During interrogation, the suspect, identified as Ezidom Collins Chibuike, admitted ownership of the seized drugs, stating he purchased cocaine and ecstasy from another African contact but declined to name the supplier. The arrest is part of a citywide crackdown on narcotics distribution in Bangkok’s entertainment districts that has been underway since October.
Police reported that the suspect had been supplying narcotics to groups of foreign tourists in Soi Inthamara 25 in the Samsen Nai area of Phaya Thai District, leading to his swift apprehension and the seizure of ecstasy pills and cocaine. At 1:00 PM on December 11, 2025, senior officers held a press briefing at the Immigration Bureau headquarters in Muang Thong Thani, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, where Pol. Maj. Gen. Panthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, outlined the investigation.
Senior officials present, including Pol. Maj. Gen. Phanop Warathanachakun, Commander of the Investigation Bureau, Immigration Bureau, and Pol. Col. Ratchot Chotikun, Deputy Commander of the Investigation Bureau, detailed the probe that began with a public tip identifying a foreign man of African descent selling drugs to tourists in Inthamara. Division 1 officers verified the information through field checks and surveillance, confirming suspicious movements consistent with the initial report.
An undercover agent established contact with the suspect via WhatsApp, arranging a controlled purchase of 40 ecstasy pills priced at ฿1,800 and 10 grams of cocaine at ฿3,000 per gram, totaling ฿102,000. Police monitored all communications and confirmed the delivery details, including time and location. Teams positioned around a condominium in Soi Inthamara 25 maintained surveillance and, upon confirming the suspect’s arrival and possession of the drugs, effected an arrest without resistance, seizing the narcotics and related items.
During questioning, the suspect acknowledged the drugs were his and stated his intention to sell them to foreign tourists for profit. His admission aligned with both the undercover operation and the original informant’s account. Police charged him with illegal sale of Category 1 narcotics (ecstasy) and Category 2 narcotics (cocaine) and transferred him to Bang Sue Police Station for further legal proceedings. Investigators began compiling evidence, preparing documentation, and initiating forensic submissions.
Authorities also commenced examination of the suspect’s digital communications and travel history to identify potential associates. Police said they would analyze WhatsApp exchanges, phone data, chat logs, and other electronic records, along with reviewing immigration and visa records to assess the duration and extent of his activities in the area. The investigation remains active, with officers noting that progress on additional leads depends on evidence gathered from seized items.
Officials reiterated that tracing the source of the narcotics, including verifying the suspect’s claim of an unidentified supplier, will follow formal investigative procedures. Pol. Maj. Gen. Panthana emphasized the coordinated effort behind the operation, noting that Division 1 handled the investigative stage with undercover agents and surveillance teams working in tandem, supported by local police at the arrest site. He highlighted the importance of public tip-offs in identifying suspects and movements, urging continued reporting from residents in busy districts where temporary visitors and short-term residents may conceal criminal activity.
Police stated they would maintain heightened surveillance in the Inthamara area, a well-known entertainment district in Bangkok located along Sutthisan Road between the Huai Khwang and Din Daeng districts. Plans are also underway to expand monitoring to other high-traffic areas across the city, focusing on groups targeting foreign tourists, though specific future operations were not disclosed. After the arrest, officers secured the seized drugs for forensic testing, documenting evidence according to protocol. Forensic results will be included in the final case file to be submitted to the prosecutor upon completion of all procedures.
