Nigerian brothers arrested over drugs sent by post to Nonthaburi
Three Nigerian nationals were arrested in Nonthaburi’s Muang district this week along with 2,750 ecstasy pills, which carry a logo in a shape of cell phone SIM card, that reportedly were sent via a post from Belgium to the gang, Immigration Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Sutthipong Wongpin said on Friday.
The suspects – Justin Chiedozie Uzukwu, 30, his elder brother Declan Kaodichi Uzukwu, 32, and Okwor Stephen Onyema, 35 – were arrested along with the ecstasy pills plus eight grams of cocaine and eight grams of marijuana at Justin’s rented house in Tambon Bang Krasor of Muang Nonthaburi. Police also seized a Nissan Sunny sedan, several passports, and a post package with traces of ecstasy pills sent from Belgium, Sutthipong said.
The ecstasy pills – which were forwarded to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board for further inspection – were sent to the gang via post from Belgium and the gang reportedly distributed it to others at Bt500 per pill.
The three men’s arrest on Tuesday stemmed from a previous bust in which Japanese police had arrested seven Thai women for smuggling drugs into Japan, which pointed the police probe towards the gang of Nigerian suspects, Sutthipong said.
Justin Chiedozie Uzukwu was charged with possessing ecstasy pills with the intent to sell them, having other illicit drugs in his possession and overstaying his visa, while his brother was charged with overstaying his visa. Police have revoked the third man’s visa.
Sutthipong said his office would co-ordinate with their Japanese and Belgium counterparts to arrest more accomplices.
Sutthipong also urged the public to alert the Immigration Bureau to foreigners acting suspiciously, renting accommodation while not acting like tourists, or with no visible means of legal support. People can call the hotline 1178 or send a message via the website www.immigration.go.th.