Something like a Hollywood thriller played out a few days ago. The only difference was that the cast featured the Thai police, narcotics officers, and a Nigerian, in Bangkok.
A Nigerian man was arrested in Thailand on April 18, 2026. The 46-year-old, Nwaiwu Ifeanyi Placid, according to the Bangkok Post, had lived in Thailand for no less than 17 years. They call him the “big boss” or kingpin of a cocaine distribution network supplying nightlife spots in central Bangkok.
After about four months of tracking, he was nabbed near Silom Soi 1 (a busy area). The officers found about 27 grams of cocaine on him during the arrest. Apparently, because of his big build, he was able to put up a fight to resist arrest, so it took several officers to hold him down. 
SEE ALSO: FCCPC Clarifies Lies: Borrowing Airtime, Data Remain Legal in Nigeria – See The True Story
The officers then raided his luxury condo in the Rama III area. That was where they discovered more:
- More cocaine, totalling around 30 grams.
- 1.5 million Thai baht (roughly over ₦67 million at current rates) stuffed in the ceiling of his bathroom.
- Foreign currency, jewellery, gold, and luxury watches worth hundreds of thousands of baht.
- And a car.
The police seized all these and also arrested three other people linked to the same network, including a Swiss national, Thomas Giubibini, and two Thai men, Thanayot Asawamethi, 35, and Nattawat Wangkitjinda, 34.
According to the Bangkok Post, Placid sometimes posed as a “pastor” and used a sham marriage to a Thai woman to stay legally in the country. He allegedly ran deals directly through secret chat groups on mobile apps to avoid middlemen.
Pattaya Mail reported that the Nigerian man arrested in Thailand confessed to the charges. He said he was shocked the police knew about the hidden cash in the ceiling. He claimed the money came from Nigeria and he was just “keeping” it there, not hiding it. They reported that he broke down crying and begged to be sent back home. He said he didn’t want to grow old and die in a Thai prison.
The arrests followed a targeted operation which involved dozens of officers. Investigations are ongoing to map the full network, seize more assets, and pursue international links. All arrested persons are facing charges related to possession and commercial distribution of a Category 2 narcotic (cocaine).
About The Author
Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News
