15kg ‘ice’ bust in Samut Prakan
A Nigerian man and a Philippine woman have been arrested and 15 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice", seized from them in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan.
Narcotics suppression police officers apprehended the pair on Thursday evening in front of the B-Condo building in Soi Bang Na-Trat 39 in tambon Bang Kaew of Bang Phli district, said Pol Lt Gen Rewat Klinkesorn, chief of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.
The suspects were identified as Chukwunonso Victor Oputa, 24, a Nigerian national, and Marilou David Morales, 41. Seized from them were 15kg of crystal methamphetamine and six mobile phones. The drugs were wrapped in black plastic packs stuffed in 16 toy cars, Thai media reported.
The arrest followed information that an African drug gang had sold illicit drugs to tourists in Bangkok and Samut Prakan. The drugs had been hidden in their condominium room in Bang Phli.
Police waited in the area and spotted the Nigerian suspect walking out of the condominium building on Thursday evening to meet the Philippine woman waiting in a pickup truck that contained several boxes.
The officers then emerged to search the boxes and found the drugs wrapped in 101 plastic packs stuffed into toy cars.
The pair were held in police custody for legal action. Authorities are now searching for other suspect gang members.