Nigerian Ukoma Jefta Nuzbech arrested in Thailand for drug-peddling after fleeing trial; faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted

Thailand police have re-arrested Ukoma Jefta Nuzbech, a Nigerian national, following allegations that he fled an ongoing drug-peddling trial in Koh Pha Ngan.

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The arrest occurred on January 14, 2026, after authorities received a tip-off regarding his location.

Nuzbech was initially arrested in March 2025 for allegedly selling 25.71 grams of cocaine to an undercover officer.

He was released on bail but reportedly went into hiding instead of attending court proceedings and allegedly continued to traffic drugs in Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan.

During the re-arrest, police recovered 1.18 grams of cocaine, 50,280 baht in cash, and a mobile phone containing messages linked to drug transactions.

Authorities also identified a 29-year-old Thai woman whose bank QR code was allegedly used to facilitate payments.

A report from the Thailand News website noted that Nuzbech now faces charges of possession with intent to sell, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to one million baht if convicted.

Police are expanding the investigation to identify possible accomplices and determine the full extent of the network.

Authorities observed that Nuzbech resisted arrest initially before police forcibly entered his vehicle, a white Mitsubishi Mirage, to take him into custody.

This case follows a series of arrests involving Nigerian nationals in Thailand over drug offences.

In November 2025, another Nigerian was reportedly apprehended for selling drugs in the parking lot of Patong Hospital in Phuket.

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The re-arrest of Nuzbech underscores ongoing international cooperation and vigilance in addressing transnational drug trafficking networks operating in Thailand.