A British fugitive wanted for drug trafficking offences in the UK has been arrested after he was found living in a luxury villa in Phuket. He’s now awaiting extradition after being moved to Bangkok yesterday.
It’s understood the Briton, identified only as 28 year old “Ben”, has been living in Rawai, in the south of the island, for 2 years, where he had become a boxer and adopted the alias, “Billy”.
Khaosod English reports that yesterday, September 2, Montree Thetkhan, Commander of the Investigation Division, ordered the boxer’s arrest under a criminal court warrant issued on Friday, August 23.
Ben was arrested at a restaurant in Rawai. According to the report, he faces charges of “conspiring to supply Class A drugs (heroin and cocaine), conspiracy to supply Class B drugs (ketamine), and conspiracy to acquire or possess criminal property”.
VIDEO: YouTube/FM91 Trafficpro
As a member of a major drug trafficking gang in the UK, the Briton is wanted by the authorities in his home country. It’s understood he fled the UK to avoid a potential life sentence.
The authorities in the UK had been tracking his movements and on finding out he was in Thailand, contacted their Thai counterparts.
Arresting officers discovered the fugitive was renting a condominium and a pool villa in the Rawai Beach area and competing as a boxer. He has now been handed over to prosecutors at the Office of International Affairs, who will arrange his extradition to the UK.
The Briton denies all charges against him.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
