Bangkok —
A British organized crime boss wanted in the UK was arrested on Friday by Thai Police in Bangkok.
The suspect, Richard Wakeling, 54, was arrested on February 10th by a joint force from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Crime Suppression Division (CSD).
Wakeling of Brentwood, Essex, was wanted in the United Kingdom on narcotics trafficking charges after he was believed to be involved in the smuggling attempt of £8 million (325 million baht) worth of liquid amphetamine into the UK from Italy in April 2016.
Wakeling fled the UK in 2018 before the court could locate him, having been convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison. British authorities then put his name on the National Crime Agency’s Most Wanted list.
The British fugitive was thought to have fled to Thailand, and the joint collaboration between the CIB and the National Crime Agency (NCA), had found that he was residing in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
The arrest of Wakeling was conducted after Thai police tracked him for some time. The police swooped in while the suspect traveled to visit a friend in Bangkok’s Ekamai district.
According to reports, the suspect is set to be extradited to the UK where he will serve his sentence.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-===-=-=-=–=–=–=–==-
Want to advertise with us or inquire about promoting your business, event, charity, or sporting event? E-mail us at Pattayanewseditor@gmail.com
