French Man Wanted in Belgian Drug Case Detained in Phuket

A 40-year-old French national wanted by Belgium over alleged drug trafficking has been detained in Phuket after immigration officers traced him to Patong on October 20.

The man, identified by the pseudonym Brahim, was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice relating to the alleged illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Following his identification, Thai immigration authorities revoked his permission to remain in the country.

Phuket Immigration received an alert from Interpol indicating that the French national was wanted by Belgian authorities and believed to be living in Thailand. Investigators worked with Satun Immigration to establish his whereabouts and eventually located him in Patong.

Officers went to the accommodation where the man was believed to be staying and spotted someone matching his description outside a room. After identifying themselves as immigration officers, they questioned him.

The man confirmed his identity and was taken to the Phuket Immigration investigation office for further checks.

Stay permission revoked

Immigration officers checked the man's details against the Immigration Bureau database and compared his documents with the information provided by Interpol. The checks confirmed that he was the person sought by Belgium.

Immigration Division 6 then revoked his permission to stay in Thailand under Section 12(7) of the Immigration Act 1979. The provision concerns foreign nationals considered a threat to public safety or national security.

Officers informed Brahim of the decision and explained his legal rights before taking him into custody for further proceedings.

Authorities have not announced any further details about the Belgian case or the next steps in the proceedings.

Immigration Division 6 said it would intensify efforts to locate foreign nationals wanted under Interpol notices, as well as those suspected of overstaying their permitted stay in Thailand.

Members of the public with information about foreign nationals suspected of violating Thai law are urged to contact the Immigration Bureau hotline at 1178.