Phuket Immigration officers have arrested a 37-year-old Nigerian man, identified as John Paul, for possessing cocaine with the intention to sell. The arrest took place on February 13, 2025, at a rented residence in Village 11, Thepkrasattri subdistrict. The operation was carried out jointly by Phuket Immigration officers and the Thalang Police Station.
During the arrest, officers discovered nine plastic bags containing cocaine, each weighing around 0.8 grams, totaling 7.2 grams of the drug. The cocaine was found in the suspect’s bedroom, concealed in black tape and a brown plastic bag.
The arrest followed intelligence from a tip-off regarding a foreign national supplying cocaine to tourists in the area. Officers conducted surveillance and gathered further information, leading them to John Paul’s residence. Upon arrival, they observed suspicious behavior from the suspect, which prompted them to gain entry and find the drugs.
In questioning, John Paul admitted to purchasing the cocaine from an unidentified foreign supplier at Bang Tao Beach and reselling it to foreign tourists for a profit. He disclosed that he bought 12 bars of cocaine for 2,000 baht each and sold them for 3,000 baht each, with some already sold before his capture.
John Paul has been charged with possession of a Category 2 narcotic (cocaine) with the intent to sell, and he was handed over to Thalang Police Station for further legal proceedings. The police are continuing their investigation into the drug network involved.
