Police arrested the alleged head of a Nigerian drug network in a dramatic late-night operation during which the suspect attempted to ram his way through a police blockade Tuesday night.
The suspect, identified as Ikenna Patrick Azubuike, 36, a Nigerian national, was arrested outside a condominium on Rama III Road in Bangkok's Yannawa district.
Investigations that led to the arrest began on May 22, when police raided a luxury condominium in Nonthaburi, which was allegedly being used as a base for a romance scam operation. Six foreigners were arrested.
Later, links were found between the romance scam syndicate and the cocaine trafficking network of a major criminal organisation.
Police said the network operated under the name Dodorima, meaning "hello", run by African criminals in Thailand.
Investigators identified Patrick as the apparent leader of the Dodorima network in Thailand. They said the Nigerian man had lived in Thailand for more than seven years, travelling frequently between Thailand and Africa.
According to police, Patrick initially worked as a street-level cocaine dealer in tourist areas before rising up through the ranks.
On the day of the arrest, the arresting team tracked Patrick as he drove into a condominium on Rama III Road. The officers attempted to stop his vehicle using a car blockade, but he reversed into officers in an effort to escape, injuring several.
Police smashed the vehicle's windows and disabled its engine. Patrick was then arrested.
A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered about 18 grammes of cocaine. A search of his condominium unit led to the seizure of cash and other assets valued at about 700,000 baht.
