National —
At 9:00 AM on September 18th, 2024, Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), immigration officials, and related agencies announced the arrest of a Singaporean drug trafficker linked to an international drug network operating in Samut Prakan.
ONCB Secretary-General Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat Lakboon explained that the arrest followed a collaboration between Thailand and Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), which had identified a suspect stated only as Mr. Benny as an alleged key figure in drug trafficking.
Wanted on a warrant issued by the Singaporean court, Benny reportedly fled to Thailand, where he played a critical role in coordinating drug trafficking operations. He allegedly used Thailand as a transit point to smuggle drugs, including methamphetamine, ketamine, and ecstasy, primarily to Singapore and Australia via international parcels.
The ONCB and Singaporean authorities worked together to track him down, eventually arresting him at a private residence in Samut Prakan. During the operation, officers seized several high-value items, including a luxury car, expensive watches, and gold. The Thai authorities are currently preparing for his deportation.
Further investigations revealed that the Singaporean suspect was linked to two major drug smuggling cases in 2021 and 2022. In those cases, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted parcels containing large quantities of illicit substances, which were destined for Singapore and Australia.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat emphasized that Thailand, while not a drug production hub, faces challenges due to drugs being smuggled across its borders from neighboring countries. He reassured the public that the ONCB is working closely with international partners, including Singapore, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, to combat transnational drug networks and exchange intelligence.
