A Thailand-based Nigerian student, Louis Junior, has been arrested in the Southeast Asian country following an alleged attempt to sell cocaine to undercover police officers.

The arrest was part of a sting operation targeting foreigners suspected to be involved in drug dealings after authorities were tipped-off about their activities in Bangkok.

Reports noted that Mr Junior was apprehended last Saturday during an attempt to meet up with a cop who posed as a buyer for 40 grams of cocaine, estimated to be worth 100,000 baht ($3,124) in street value. 

The suspect reportedly smelt a rat during the exchange and immediately fled the scene, jumping over a metal fence before he was found two hours later inside a ditch in a nearby vacant area where he took refuge from authorities. 

According to Thaiger News, upon his capture at around 12:30 a.m. police officers couldn’t find any drug on Mr Junior, alleging that the 21-year-old discarded the substance while in hiding. 

However, further probe by authorities revealed that Mr Junior has been living illegally in Thailand for more than six months after a study extension granted to him following his entry into the country in April 2025 expired in October of the same year. 

Thaiger reported that Mr Junior was eventually handed over to Thai Immigration Bureau, which charged him with overstaying his visa as authorities searched for the alleged missing narcotics and trafficking network.

Mr Junior’s case is the latest arrest linking Nigerians to crimes in Thailand after three Nigerian nationals — Miracle Qluebube Duruawuzie, John Bosco Chukwukadibia and Chibueze Solomon Ozoma were apprehended for allegedly running a money laundering ring.

Two weeks ago, the Peoples Gazette also reported that a 47-year-old Nigerian man identified only as Patrick was nabbed in the Asian country over alleged years-long cocaine smuggling operations. 

Mr Junior’s arrest again sparked debates on social media about what people perceive as the frequent rate of Nigerians committing crimes abroad. 

“When we kick them out in South Africa they defend themselves by calling us all names as if we just hate them or are jealous. They know very well that the majority of them are killing our youths, selling drugs and kidnapping crimes that come with them in our country. Police yearly statistics are there,” Instagram user @fani.mthethwa said.

@curtisdaz states, “I encountered a lot of these Nigerian folks while walking along Sukhumvit Road especially during night time. They approach you and want you to buy such illegal stuff. You gotta watch your back because they are following you.”

“A typical idiot, Nigerians are the cancer of Africa, always bring an embarrassment to Africa,” @sami_yuku commented.