Singaporean man wanted for alleged drug-related offences caught in Bangkok for possessing toxic substances

A 40-year-old Singaporean man wanted in Singapore for alleged drug and other criminal offences has been arrested in Bangkok, after Thai police found crystal methamphetamine, explosive-related chemicals on him and evidence of an order for highly toxic substances which he allegedly made through the dark web.

The man, identified as Joel, was arrested at a condominium in Bangkok's Bang Khae district on Thursday (Sept 3), according to Thai police.

According to Thai news outlet The Nation, the arrest came after investigators received information that he had allegedly threatened to poison a condominium's water tank.

During a search of the apartment, police seized 3g of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, 200,000 baht (S$7,700) in cash and two mobile phones.

They also found a range of chemicals, including 0.5kg of potassium nitrate, sodium metabisulphite, ammonia solution, nitric acid and borax.

Two ignition devices and five gas canisters were also seized, The Nation reported.

Thai police said digital records showed that Joel had ordered 20g of a highly toxic substance which they described as being 10,000 times stronger than morphine, as well as 10g of a substance described as a euthanasia drug.

The order was allegedly made through the dark web for 18,000 baht (about S$700).

Investigation triggered from hotline tip

The investigation began in late January after Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board received a tip-off that a Singaporean man, who used crystal methamphetamine, had allegedly behaved violently towards women and confined them against their will, Thai media reports said.

Investigators spent several weeks gathering information before locating a woman who police described as a victim.

She told investigators that Joel would become violent very often, and that he allegedly encouraged her to jump from a building and had threatened to put poison into the condominium's water tank.

Police subsequently uncovered evidence that he had ordered a large quantity of highly toxic substances through the dark web.

According to the police, Joel admitted to absconding from his drug case in Singapore in 2024 as he did not want to return to prison or face caning again.

Investigating for three months

According to Thai news outlet MGR Online, the police have been investigating the suspect for over three months prior to coordinating with Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau.

Investigators believe that his erratic behaviour is possibly linked to drug use.

The chemicals seized have since been sent for detailed forensic examination.

Joel was initially charged with possessing and using a Category 1 narcotic, as well as overstaying.

Investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional charges relating to explosives or hazardous substances will be brought against him.

asyiqin.nadzri@asiaone.com

一名40岁的新加坡男子因涉嫌毒品犯罪和其他刑事犯罪在新加坡被通缉，后在曼谷被捕。泰国警方在他身上发现了冰毒、与爆炸物相关的化学品，以及他涉嫌通过暗网订购剧毒物质的证据。

据泰国警方称，这名男子名叫乔尔，于周四（9月3日）在曼谷邦凯区的一处公寓被捕。

据泰国新闻媒体《民族报》报道，此次逮捕行动源于调查人员收到线报，称他涉嫌威胁要毒害一栋公寓楼的水箱。

在搜查公寓期间，警方缴获了 3 克冰毒和吸毒用具、20 万泰铢（约合 7700 新元）现金和两部手机。

他们还发现了一系列化学品，包括 0.5 公斤硝酸钾、焦亚硫酸钠、氨水、硝酸和硼砂。

据《国家报》报道，警方还缴获了两个点火装置和五个煤气罐。

泰国警方表示，电子记录显示，乔尔订购了 20 克剧毒物质，他们称这种物质的毒性是吗啡的 10000 倍，以及 10 克被描述为安乐死药物的物质。

据称，这笔订单是通过暗网下的，金额为 18,000 泰铢（约合 700 新元）。

调查源于热线举报

据泰国媒体报道，调查始于1月下旬，当时泰国禁毒委员会接到线报称，一名吸食冰毒的新加坡男子涉嫌对女性施暴并非法拘禁她们。

调查人员花了数周时间收集信息，才找到一名警方称之为受害者的女子。

她告诉调查人员，乔尔经常会变得暴力，他还怂恿她从楼上跳下去，并威胁要在公寓的水箱里下毒。

警方随后发现证据表明，他曾通过暗网订购了大量剧毒物质。

据警方称，乔尔承认在 2024 年从新加坡的毒品案中潜逃，因为他不想再次入狱或面临鞭刑。

调查持续了三个月

据泰国新闻媒体MGR Online报道，警方在与新加坡中央肃毒局协调之前，已经对嫌疑人进行了三个多月的调查。

调查人员认为，他反常的行为可能与吸毒有关。

缴获的化学品已被送往进行详细的法医检验。

乔尔最初被指控持有和使用一级麻醉品，以及逾期滞留。

目前仍在进行调查，以确定是否会对他提出与爆炸物或危险物质相关的其他指控。

asyiqin.nadzri@asiaone.com