French fugitive, 40, wanted by Belgium in drug trafficking case arrested in Thailand
A French fugitive wanted by Interpol for alleged drug trafficking in Belgium has been arrested in Thailand.
The suspect, 40, was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice by Belgian authorities over alleged narcotics trafficking.
Thai immigration officers launched a search following intelligence from Interpol that the Frenchman was staying on the holiday island of Phuket.
Officers later received a tip-off from Satun Immigration that he was living in the party district of Patong, where police were deployed to surveil his accommodation on October 20.
The team later spotted a man matching his description standing outside the lodging before moving in to detain him.
The French fugitive allegedly admitted his identity and was taken to the Phuket Immigration Bureau for further investigation.
Officers confirmed through the immigration database and supporting documents that he was the French national sought by Belgian authorities.
His visa was subsequently revoked as he was considered a 'threat to public order, safety or national security'.
He was taken into custody at the Phuket Immigration Bureau for further legal proceedings.
Immigration Division 6 spokesman Police Colonel Charoenphong Khantilo said the arrest was carried out under a nationwide crackdown on foreign fugitives.
He said: 'Strict inspections, the use of information technology, and public relations efforts advising householders and hotel owners to report accommodation details have helped build a database that can be used to effectively investigate and arrest foreign nationals committing offences in the country.
‘Furthermore, interacting with residents and helping to ease their suffering and promote their well-being are duties of law enforcement officers.
‘These interactions frequently generate in-depth intelligence that leads to arrests such as this one.
‘The commander of Immigration Division 6 has instructed officers to intensify area inspections and investigate other foreign nationals subject to Interpol arrest warrants or who have overstayed their visas, to ensure public order and maintain a positive image of tourist cities.'
