African-led transnational drug ring busted

Investigators pose with a Nigerian suspect identified only as Obi, and some of the 65 kilogrammes of heroin seized at a hotel in Bangkok on May 18, 2026. The raid was the first of six operations targeting a transnational smuggling ring that also operated romance scams to recruit women as drug mules. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

Authorities have arrested 13 Thai and foreign suspects who were members of a transnational drug network led by a fugitive African known as “Big Jot” and seized 130 kilogrammes of heroin and cocaine worth over 400 million baht.

Investigations carried out over the past several months uncovered how the gang used romance scams to recruit Thai women to smuggle drugs across borders, police said on Friday.