Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) investigators arrested the alleged head of a Nigerian drug network in a dramatic late-night operation during which the suspect attempted to ram his way through a police blockade Tuesday night.
The arrest was made during an operation dubbed “Clipping the Wings of the Dodorima Boss” by officers from the MPB and the Bangkok branch of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).
The suspect, identified as Ikenna Patrick Azubuike, 36, a Nigerian national, was arrested outside a condominium on Rama III Road in Bangkok's Yannawa district.
The suspect commonly referred to as Patrick was charged with possessing and selling a Category 2 narcotic (cocaine) without permission, and resisting arrest. Authorities said further charges related to money laundering are being considered.
The operation led to the seizure cocaine, a vehicle, cash, funds held in bank accounts and other assets worth more than 700,000 baht.
Investigations that led to the arrest began on May 22, when police investigators, led by MPB deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, conducted a raid on a luxury condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Nonthaburi, which was allegedly being used as a base for a romance scam operation. Six foreign nationals were arrested during that operation.
Later, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samrarn Nuanma ordered the MPB to widen the investigation, leading to links between the romance scam syndicate and the cocaine trafficking network of a major criminal organisation with more than 300 million baht circulating through its operations.
Investigators said the network operated under the name Dodorima, described as a regional alliance of African criminal figures in Thailand. They are believed to be an off chute of a larger international organisation known as NBM of Africa.
Officers found that members of the group sought to disguise their activities through highly visible charitable donations and community outreach programmes.
Investigators identified Patrick as the apparent leader of the Dodorima network in Thailand. They said the Nigerian man had lived in Thailand for more than seven years, travelling frequently between Thailand and Africa.
According to police, Patrick initially worked as a street-level cocaine dealer in tourist areas before rising up through the ranks. Investigators estimated that more than 380 million baht flowed through the network's accounts over the past year alone.
Authorities also believed he sent substantial sums back to Nigeria, where he allegedly built a large mansion.
The MPB said the investigation proved difficult because the suspect was surrounded by trusted associates and employed sophisticated methods to conceal financial transactions and evade detection.
The investigators eventually discovered that although Patrick was no longer directly involved in most street-level drug sales, he appeared to maintain influence through the distribution of cocaine to prominent clients, leading authorities to launch the operation that resulted in his arrest.
On the day of the arrest, the arresting team tracked Patrick as he drove into a luxury condominium complex on Rama III Road. The officers attempted to stop his vehicle using a car-blocking strategy, but he reversed into officers in an effort to escape, injuring several.
Pol Maj Gen Theeradej, who led the operation, ordered officers to smash the vehicle's windows and disable its engine. Patrick was then taken into custody.
A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered about 18 grammes of cocaine. A subsequent search of his condominium unit led to the seizure of cash and other assets valued at about 700,000 baht.
Following the arrest, investigators said they uncovered intelligence suggesting links to a wider transnational criminal network.
Authorities also found messages in a private group chat in which members appeared to ridicule Thai cocaine users, including one message stating: "The powder they snort comes from our backsides."
Patrick has been handed over to investigators at Bang Phongphang police station for legal proceedings. Assets seized under anti-money laundering measures have been transferred to the ONCB for further tracing.
During questioning, Patrick partially admitted to the allegations against him, acknowledging involvement with cocaine but denying money-laundering offences. He claimed the group's activities centred on charitable donations funded through a fish-export business between Thailand and Nigeria.
The suspect said the word "Dodomira" means "hello".
Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said the arrest represented a significant blow to a major transnational syndicate, disrupting both drug trafficking and financial laundering activities.
The MPB would work with the ONCB and international partners to trace financial flows and apprehend all Thai and foreign accomplices linked to the organisation, he said.
