S'pore man, 40, arrested in Bangkok for alleged drug use, ordering poisonous substances on dark web

A 40-year-old Singaporean man was arrested in Bangkok on Sep. 4, where he was found with drug paraphernalia, poisons, explosive substances, and evidence that he had ordered such materials online.

Thairath reported that the suspect, only known as Joel, was found by the police after they received a tip-off about a Singaporean with a history of using crystal meth.

Authorities seized 3 grams of crystal meth, 200,000 baht (S$7,699) in cash, half a kilogram of potassium nitrate, two detonators, and various other chemical reagents.

The Thai police further searched his phone, which revealed that he had ordered 20 grams of a toxin from the dark web that was 10,000 times stronger than morphine, as well as a drug used for animal euthanasia.

According to The Nation, the police found that he had already made payment for the items.

How did he get caught?

According to MGR Online, Joel was identified as a wanted individual with outstanding arrest warrants in Singapore, with a history of criminal and drug-related offences.

The Thai police formed a team to track him down, a process that took more than three months to complete.

They learnt that he frequented nightlife establishments, and they talked to a hostess who was familiar with him.

She claimed that he was often violent and erratic, having once threatened her with a knife, and revealed to her a plot for poisoning a water tank.

Narcotics officers tracked him down at a luxury condo. They successfully breached the unit and arrested him.

When questioned, he claimed that the toxins he had ordered were not intended for killing others, but for himself. He insisted that he ordered a large quantity such that he would have a potent enough dose for himself, and that he did not mean to harm anyone else.

Analysis revealed that the explosive reagents in his possession were not enough to create a functional bomb.

He will be charged with the use of narcotics and visa overstay.

According to The Nation, the Thai police are determining whether additional charges, relating to explosives or hazardous substances should be brought.