BANGKOK, THAILAND – A man wanted in Australia on drug charges was arrested in a residential high-rise in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district as Thai immigration authorities revoked his visa and prepared his deportation.
Arrest in Din Daeng condominium
Officers from Immigration Division 3 detained the 44-year-old on Friday afternoon in a condominium in Din Daeng. Authorities identified him only by the name Isaac.
According to Police Colonel Prinya Klinkesorn, a spokesman for the unit, the operation followed a tip from investigative sources. They had indicated that an internationally wanted fugitive was hiding in Bangkok.
Queensland warrant and 11 drug-related counts
The arrest was carried out after a request from the liaison office of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Thailand. Investigators in Australia had informed Thai counterparts that the suspect was wanted on serious drug allegations.
A warrant from Queensland dated 18 January of the previous year had been issued against the man. He faced 11 counts linked to the possession and manufacture of illegal drugs.
Two passports and latest entry in February
Authorities stated that the suspect held dual citizenship. He carried both an Australian and a New Zealand passport when he was found.
Immigration records showed that he most recently entered Thailand on 10 February of this year. Officials used the entry data to track his movements and confirm his stay in Bangkok.
Earlier cases involving Indonesia and past drug offences
Investigators also uncovered links between the man and previous criminal proceedings. These included earlier drug-related cases that had already attracted attention from foreign police.
Cited were a drug possession case from 2019 and an alleged attempt in 2017 to smuggle drugs via Indonesia. These past incidents added to concerns about his cross-border activities.
Visa cancelled as deportation prepared
The authorities revoked the detained man’s visa and said they were preparing his deportation to his country of origin. Immigration officials emphasized that he would no longer be allowed to remain legally in Thailand.
Police Colonel Prinya described the case as the outcome of targeted, intelligence-based operations.
“This was the result of intelligence-led operations and close coordination with international partners to capture a fugitive wanted across borders.”
said Pol Col Prinya Klinkesorn, spokesman for Immigration Division 3.
Pressure on foreign offenders in Thailand
Immigration Division 3 viewed the arrest as another step in preventing the country from becoming a safe haven for foreign criminals. The unit stressed its focus on tracking foreigners who try to evade prosecution abroad by relocating to Thailand.
Since January, the division had arrested and deported more than 20 foreign suspects, according to its spokesman. These individuals had allegedly fled ongoing proceedings overseas before being detained in Thailand.