Wanted S'porean drug trafficker arrested in Thailand, suspected member of international narcotics ring

A Singaporean man who has been on the run from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for allegedly trafficking drugs has been caught in Bangkok, Thailand, Bangkok Post said.

The 50-year-old man, Tan Leng Chong, was arrested on Jul. 5 alongside an Indonesian couple who was believed to be part of a narcotics ring that operates between Thailand and Singapore.

CNB had previously issued a warrant for Tan's arrest in May over drug trafficking charges.

Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) said CNB provided a tip-off to Thai authorities, who identified him in Pattaya, Thailand, and tailed him to Bangkok on Jul. 5.

Sting operation

What resulted was a dramatic sting operation where local police and immigration officers stormed Tan's Bangkok hotel room, where he was meeting his Indonesian accomplices, according to The Thaiger.

All three suspects were arrested and the room was raided.

Bangkok Post said a number of illicit drugs were seized by the police, including ecstasy, ketamine and "five-five", a type of prescription-only sedative.

The bust comes amid a recent wave of cross-border narcotics crackdowns ordered by Thailand's prime minister, a Customs Department spokesperson said.

The Thaiger reported that 140 drug-related crimes were uncovered between 1 October and 6 May, with suspects arrested in regions like Myanmar and Laos.

Mothership has reached out to CNB for comment.

Top images via ONCB/Facebook