A 47-year-old Nigerian man identified as Patrick has been arrested in Bangkok by Thai police over allegations of running a cocaine smuggling operation spanning nearly two decades. The arrest, which occurred at 11pm on Sunday in the Bang Rak district, followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance on Patrick, described by authorities as a drug kingpin. During a search of his apartment, police seized 0.87 gram of cocaine valued at $74,800 and discovered 2.4 million baht hidden in the bathroom ceiling. Patrick, who claimed to be a pastor and has lived in Thailand for almost 20 years, allegedly admitted to possessing cocaine with intent to sell. He was apprehended while attempting to flee in a black minivan but was chased and captured by officers. In a video released by police, Patrick broke down during interrogation, pleading, "Please deport me to Nigeria. I don't want to die in Thai prison." Authorities alleged his marriage to a Thai woman was a sham to maintain legal residency. Three others were arrested alongside him: a 60-year-old Swiss man named Thomas in Nonthaburi province, and two Thai nationals, Yot, 35, and Nat, 34, in Bangkok's Rama III area. Thai law imposes severe penalties for drug smuggling, including long prison terms, life imprisonment, or the death penalty.
Patrick claims to be a pastor while allegedly running a drug network for 17 years, raising questions about how religious identity is used to mask illicit activities. He kept large sums of cash from Nigeria in a Bangkok apartment ceiling, suggesting informal financial practices may be enabling offshore concealment. His plea to be deported rather than face prison contrasts with the harm caused by the drugs he allegedly distributed. Nigerians on social media are quick to condemn him, yet some defend his actions as aiding undocumented compatriots with money storage.
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