Nigerian, Belgian arrested in Patong cocaine stings, charged with overstay

Two foreign men were arrested in separate Patong cocaine sting operations in Phuket this week, with police also charging both with long visa overstays. Tourist Police Investigation Division 2 officers under Tourist Police Bureau 3 made the arrests as part of an intensified crackdown ordered by Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira Puek-am, officials said.

The suspects were identified as Samuel Egbujonuma Silas, a Nigerian national, and Bruno Trunfio, a Belgian national. Both were taken to Patong Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Nigerian suspect arrested after Phra Metta Road sting

Samuel was arrested at a clothing store on Phra Metta Rd after undercover officers allegedly arranged to buy cocaine from him. The operation ran from 6:15pm to 12:03am on Wednesday, May 6.

Police said they seized six packets of cocaine wrapped in black and orange tape with a combined weight of about 10.45 grammes. Some packets were found during the arrest, while additional packets were recovered in a search of his room.

He was charged with selling a Category 2 narcotic by possessing cocaine for sale without permission for commercial purposes. Police also charged him with overstaying his visa by 550 days.

Belgian suspect detained outside convenience store

Bruno was arrested in front of a convenience store on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd after an undercover purchase, police said. That operation was conducted between 11:30pm Wednesday and 2am yesterday.

Officers seized about 2.9 grammes of cocaine, including packets allegedly handed over during the sting and a small quantity found in his trousers at the time of arrest.

He faces the same narcotics charge of possessing cocaine for sale without permission for commercial purposes. Police also charged him with overstaying his visa by 762 days.

Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/nigerian-belgian-arrested-for-cocaine-dealing-overstay-in-patong-100154.php