A South Korean fugitive wanted under an Interpol Red Notice has been arrested in Bangkok after Thai authorities tracked him to a luxury condominium in the Seri Thai area of Bueng Kum district.
The suspect, identified as Kim Jin Deok, is wanted by South Korean authorities over his alleged involvement in smuggling approximately 1.31 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, with the drugs estimated to be worth more than 131 million won (approximately RM390,000).
The arrest was carried out in a joint operation involving Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and South Korean law enforcement officials.
According to investigators, Kim and several alleged accomplices travelled to Thailand to obtain the drugs before concealing them inside underwear. The narcotics were reportedly wrapped in plastic bags and hidden inside cardboard packaging before another member of the group allegedly transported them to South Korea, where that individual was later arrested.
Investigators believe Kim fled back to Thailand after learning he was being sought by South Korean authorities, prompting the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice to facilitate his international arrest.
Following weeks of investigation, Thai officers located Kim at a luxury condominium in Bangkok and placed the property under surveillance. Officers later approached him to inspect his passport and confirmed that he was the individual named in the Interpol alert.
Authorities also discovered that Kim had overstayed his permission to remain in Thailand, which expired on 30 May. He was immediately arrested for violating Thai immigration laws.
Thai officials said Kim has been handed over to investigators for legal proceedings in Thailand while arrangements are being made for his deportation to South Korea, where he faces allegations related to methamphetamine trafficking.
Investigators added that efforts are continuing to identify and dismantle the wider drug trafficking network linked to the case. The arrest follows another joint Thai-South Korean operation in May, when a South Korean scam suspect wanted under an Interpol Red Notice was detained at a luxury condominium in Pattaya.
