South Korean Drug Trafficker Arrested After 8 Years Hiding in Thailand
South Korean drug trafficker Lee was arrested in Phuket after hiding illegally in Thailand for eight years, wanted by Interpol for trafficking methamphetamine and cannabis to South Korea and defrauding victims of millions of baht.
On August 14, 2025, following a directive to sweep foreign fugitives hiding in Thailand, officers from Police Region 6 and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau collaborated in the arrest of a South Korean national identified as Lee. The suspect was wanted under Red Notice A-8537/8-2018 issued by Interpol on August 13, 2018, for fraud and unlicensed drug and cannabis trafficking across borders.
Lee had been operating a sophisticated criminal network since early 2018, defrauding victims of approximately 800 million won (roughly 20 million baht) and leading a drug export operation shipping methamphetamine and cannabis from Thailand to South Korea via social media platforms. He had a criminal history spanning over 23 cases involving drugs, human trafficking, assault, and fraud.
After receiving intelligence from South Korean police and intelligence agencies, officers tracked Lee to a luxury condominium in Phuket City. Biometric records showed he had entered Thailand on March 6, 2018, on a tourist visa valid until June 3, 2018, but remained in the country illegally for eight years. On August 12, 2025, at approximately 19:00, officers conducted surveillance and apprehended the suspect. He admitted to his identity and consented to a room search, during which police seized mobile phones and debit cards.
