South Korean drug trafficking suspect wanted by Interpol arrested in Bangkok
A South Korean man wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for alleged drug trafficking was arrested today at a condominium in Bangkok's Bueng Kum district in a joint operation by Thai immigration and anti-narcotics officials and South Korean police.
According to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the suspect, identified as Kim Jin Deo, allegedly travelled to Thailand to arrange the smuggling of 1.3kg of crystal methamphetamine to South Korea through a courier, who concealed the drugs in her underwear inside a suitcase.
The drugs were detected by South Korean customs officials upon the courier's arrival, and she was arrested. South Korean police subsequently obtained an Interpol Red Notice for Kim Jin Deo, who was believed to be hiding in Thailand.
Thai authorities located the suspect at a condominium in Bangkok's Bueng Kum district, where he was arrested in the joint operation.
Immigration officials said the suspect's tourist visa had expired on May 30. He will be charged with overstaying his visa before being deported to South Korea to face drug trafficking charges.