THAILAND: A 50-year-old Singaporean fugitive, wanted for drug trafficking offences, has been arrested in Bangkok after months on the run.
Thai authorities apprehended Tan Leng Chong during a hotel raid, which also saw the arrest of his two alleged accomplices — an Indonesian couple — and the seizure of illegal drugs.
Tan was captured last Saturday during a joint operation involving Thai police, immigration officers, and officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).
In a Facebook statement on Tuesday (8 July), the ONCB confirmed Tan’s arrest and stated that he was wanted under a warrant issued by Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in May for allegedly trafficking drugs from Thailand into the city-state.
ONCB Secretary-General Phanurat Lakboon revealed that Tan had initially been hiding in Pattaya, Chonburi province, as reported by Thai news outlet Bangkok Post.
According to a report by NBT Connext — the Thai government’s public relations outlet — Tan had used Thailand not only as a hideout but also as a base for his cross-border drug trafficking activities.
Investigators learnt that Tan had travelled to Bangkok, where he was seen meeting two Indonesians at a hotel.
During the raid, the Indonesian man and woman, believed to be involved in the same drug smuggling network, were also arrested.
Thai authorities seized quantities of ecstasy, ketamine, and Erimin-5 — a depressant medication requiring prescription.
While the Indonesian suspects’ names were not disclosed, NBT Connext reported that they are a married couple.
Following the arrests, Thai officers searched two properties in Pattaya linked to Tan, but no further drugs or illegal items were found.
Prin Mekhanan, Director of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau under the ONCB, said that investigations suggested Tan had previously ordered drugs from central Thailand and smuggled them abroad by concealing them in carry-on luggage.
A Maserati bearing a fake licence plate was also seized during the operation.
The ONCB noted that Singapore’s CNB had earlier requested assistance from the Thai Narcotics Suppression Bureau and ONCB in locating Singaporean nationals wanted for drug offences believed to be hiding in Thailand.
The agencies have been exchanging intelligence as part of their cooperation.
Tan is expected to be extradited to Singapore, where he faces prosecution.
Under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, drug trafficking carries the mandatory death penalty.
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