Nigerian Drug Dealer Arrested on Koh Pha Ngan After Skipping Court
Thai police have arrested a Nigerian man accused of drug trafficking on Koh Pha Ngan after he failed to appear in court following an earlier arrest and allegedly continued dealing narcotics while on the run.
The suspect, identified as Ukoma Jefta Nuzbech, a 38-year-old Nigerian national, was taken into custody on Wednesday, January 14, by officers from the Koh Pha Ngan Tourist Police. His arrest followed intelligence indicating that he was travelling along a road on the island after evading authorities for several months.
Police said they received a tip-off that Nuzbech, who was wanted in connection with a cocaine trafficking case, had been spotted near a convenience store on Koh Pha Ngan. While officers did not disclose the exact location, the information was sufficient to launch a coordinated operation involving Koh Pha Ngan Police Station and Surat Thani Provincial Police.
Nuzbech was previously arrested on March 12 last year during a sting operation in which he was caught delivering 25.71 grammes of cocaine to an undercover police officer. The drugs were valued at approximately 240,000 baht. Following that arrest, he was granted bail and ordered to report to court to face charges.
However, investigators said Nuzbech failed to appear as required and subsequently went into hiding. Police believe he moved between the neighbouring islands of Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan, where he allegedly continued selling drugs while avoiding law enforcement.
Acting on the latest intelligence, officers set up a roadblock and intercepted a white Mitsubishi Mirage with a Bangkok registration plate that Nuzbech was driving. Police ordered him to step out of the vehicle and surrender, but he reportedly refused to comply.
Video footage later shared on the Police TV Facebook page showed officers smashing the car’s window with a baton, while another officer was seen kicking the window in an effort to force the suspect out. After several tense moments, Nuzbech eventually exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further resistance.
A search of the car led to the seizure of 1.18 grammes of cocaine, 50,280 baht in cash, and a mobile phone. Police later examined the phone and found multiple messages linked to drug-related transactions.
Investigators said the phone contained conversations with a 29-year-old Thai woman from Roi Et province in northeastern Thailand. According to police, Nuzbech had sent a QR code linked to the woman’s bank account to several contacts via a messaging application, allegedly to facilitate payments for drug purchases. Authorities are now expanding the investigation to determine the woman’s possible involvement in the drug network.
Following his arrest, Nuzbech was formally charged with possession of a Category 2 narcotic with intent to sell. The offence carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 1 million baht under Thai law.
Police said further investigations are ongoing to identify other individuals connected to the drug trafficking network, as authorities continue efforts to curb narcotics distribution on Thailand’s popular tourist islands.
