A Nigerian, Ukoma Jefta Nuzbech, based in Thailand, has been re-arrested after allegedly fleeing a court trial related to drug trafficking in the Koh Pha Ngan area.
According to a report from Thailand News obtained by PUNCH Metro on Sunday, Nuzbech was taken into custody on January 14 following a tip-off about his location.
The suspect was initially arrested in March 2025 for allegedly selling 25.71 grams of cocaine to an undercover police officer. He was released on bail but reportedly failed to appear in court and allegedly continued dealing drugs between Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan.
During his re-arrest, police recovered suspected cocaine, cash, and a mobile phone from Nuzbech. Officers stopped his white Mitsubishi Mirage, and after he resisted arrest, they forcibly entered the vehicle, discovering 1.18 grams of cocaine, 50,280 baht in cash, and a phone containing messages linked to drug transactions.
Investigators say the messages indicated a connection to a 29-year-old Thai woman, whose bank account QR code was allegedly used to facilitate payments.
If convicted, Nuzbech could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to one million baht for possession with intent to sell. Police are continuing their investigation to identify possible accomplices and the full extent of the drug network.
This is not the first instance of a Nigerian being arrested in Thailand for drug-related offenses. In November 2025, a Nigerian national was reportedly caught selling drugs in the parking lot of Patong Hospital in Phuket.
