The arrests were carried out by officers from the Tourist Police Investigation Division 2 under the Tourist Police Bureau 3, following orders from Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Saksira Puek-am to intensify crackdowns on crimes involving foreigners in Phuket.
In the first case, officers arrested Samuel Egbujonuma Silas, a Nigerian national, during a sting operation conducted between 6:15pm and 12:03am on Wednesday (May 6).
The arrest took place at a clothing store on Phra Metta Rd in Patong after undercover officers allegedly arranged to purchase cocaine from the suspect.
Police seized six packets of cocaine wrapped in black and orange tape with a combined weight of about 10.45 grammes. Some of the drugs were allegedly found during the arrest, while additional packets were recovered during a search of the suspect’s room.
Samuel was charged with selling a Category 2 narcotic by possessing cocaine for sale without permission for commercial purposes. He was also charged with overstaying his visa by 550 days.
In the second case, officers arrested Bruno Trunfio, a Belgian national, during another undercover operation conducted between 11:30pm Wednesday and 2am yesterday.
The arrest took place in front of a convenience store on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd in Patong after undercover officers allegedly purchased cocaine from the suspect.
Police seized approximately 2.9g of cocaine, including packets allegedly exchanged during the sting operation and a small quantity found in the suspect’s trousers at the time of arrest.
Bruno was charged with selling a Category 2 narcotic by possessing cocaine for sale without permission for commercial purposes. He was also charged with overstaying his visa by 762 days.
Both suspects were taken to Patong Police Station for further legal proceedings.