In Surat Thani, immigration authorities collaborated with the German Federal Police office in Thailand to track down Sven, a 37-year-old German accused of cocaine trafficking. The suspect, subject to a European and international arrest warrant issued by the district court of Stuttgart, had taken refuge on the island of Koh Samui.
Lieutenant Colonel Chutthares Yinglyong Damrongsakun, head of Immigration Police Division 6, stated that the operation was ordered by General Phanumart Boonyalaksana, Commissioner of Thai Immigration. Investigations revealed that Sven had fled in 2021 after selling cocaine via the "ANOM" application in Germany. His residence permit was revoked and a manhunt was launched in the Koh Samui district.
Intelligence provided by German police enabled authorities to locate Sven in a cannabis shop in Maret, Koh Samui. On March 18, investigators arrived on site and found him selling cannabis to customers. The shop had no license to sell cannabis flowers, and Sven was working illegally.
Law enforcement seized the cannabis as evidence, notified Sven of the revocation of his residence permit, and arrested him. He was transferred to Bo Phut police station for prosecution related to illegal work and unauthorized sale of cannabis. After completion of Thai procedures, he will be deported to Germany to face charges related to narcotics offenses.
“This operation is part of the policy of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the National Police Commander General Kittirat Phanpetch, who have ordered a firm crackdown on transnational crime and foreign offenders or fugitives in Thailand, for the safety of citizens and the country’s tourist image.”
Lieutenant Colonel Chutthares Yinglyong Damrongsakun emphasized: any foreigner residing in Thailand who commits offenses will be prosecuted without exception.