Two Nigerian men, identified as Ihejimba Bright Chimezie and Azubuike Chidiebere David, have been detained in Bangkok, Thailand, following allegations of their involvement in a major drug trafficking operation. The two men were arrested by Thai immigration and drug enforcement officers after a joint investigation with Japanese authorities uncovered their potential role in a cocaine smuggling attempt. The case has raised serious questions about the increasing prevalence of international drug trafficking and the role that some Nigerians are playing in these illicit activities.
The two men were arrested on Tuesday, after an investigation led by the Thai Immigration Bureau and drug control officers. According to Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, the men were first identified as overstayers, living in Thailand beyond the time allowed by their visas. It was only after their arrest that the investigation uncovered their possible connection to the international drug trafficking operation.
Authorities raided a condominium located on Navamin-Ram Intra Road in the Kannayao district of Bangkok, where the two Nigerians were residing. The men were initially detained for violating immigration laws before being handed over to immigration officials for further legal action. However, the investigation quickly took a darker turn when it was revealed that they were being connected to a serious drug-related crime.
The situation escalated when Thai authorities discovered that the two men were allegedly linked to a Thai woman who had been arrested by Japanese authorities. This woman had attempted to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine into Japan by swallowing 59 small packets of the drug. In total, the cocaine weighed almost 700 grams and was valued at approximately 2.1 million baht (about 55,000 USD).
According to Pol Maj Gen Phanthana, the woman admitted during interrogation that she had been in a relationship with one of the two Nigerian men. She claimed that they had been involved in the illegal drug trade, which led to the investigation being extended beyond Thailand’s borders to Japan.
The Japanese authorities, upon detecting the smuggling attempt, had contacted Thai officials for assistance. A coordinated operation followed, with Thai officers tracking the two Nigerian men to the condominium. After a raid on the property, the two suspects were arrested and questioned regarding their possible role in the drug trafficking ring.
The involvement of Nigerian nationals in global drug trafficking networks has long been a cause of concern for authorities in various countries. This is not the first time Nigerians have been linked to international drug trafficking, with many reports highlighting the role of Nigerian individuals or groups in smuggling narcotics across borders.
In 2019, Nigerian drug syndicates were reported to be involved in large-scale cocaine and heroin smuggling from Africa to other parts of the world. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), West Africa, including Nigeria, has become a major transshipment point for drugs destined for Europe and North America. As a result, Nigerian nationals have faced increasing scrutiny from law enforcement agencies across the globe.
The growing presence of Nigerian drug traffickers in Thailand has also been noted. Thai officials have repeatedly warned about the increasing number of foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, who are using Thailand as a hub for drug trafficking. The recent arrests in Bangkok underscore the fact that Thailand continues to be a key destination for criminal organisations involved in the global drug trade.
