Nigerian, Belgian men arrested in Phuket cocaine sales case

Two foreign men were arrested in Phuket on May 7 after tourist police found cocaine during an operation in Patong targeting foreigners suspected of selling drugs, officials said. The suspects, identified as Nigerian national Samuel Egbujonuma Silas and Belgian national Bruno Trunfio, were also found to have overstayed their visas.

Arrests in Patong uncovered cocaine and long overstays

Egbujonuma Silas was arrested outside a clothing shop on Phra Metta Road with 10.45 grammes of cocaine packed in black and orange taped bags that police said were prepared for sale. Immigration checks found he had overstayed by 550 days.

Trunfio was arrested outside a convenience store on Rat Uthit Road with 2.90 grammes of cocaine. Police said he had remained in Thailand 762 days beyond his permitted stay.

Investigation led to drug charges and transfer to Patong police

DailyNews reported that both men were charged with selling cocaine, a category 2 narcotic, for commercial purposes and with overstaying in Thailand after their permission to stay had expired. They were taken to Patong Police Station for legal proceedings and are expected to face deportation after the case.

Immigration police said the arrests followed an investigation into foreign nationals suspected of involvement in drug activity. Officers received a tip-off that a foreign man was selling drugs and arranged an undercover purchase.

At the meeting, the suspect allegedly arrived for the handover, then realized it was a police operation and fled. Officers said he jumped over a metal fence about 2 metres high into a nearby vacant area.

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/nigerian-belgian-nationals-arrested-cocaine-sales-phuket