A Canadian ‘hitman’, wanted in connection with a 2022 gangland murder in Phuket, is in custody in Thailand after being extradited from Canada under extreme security. According to a Reuters report, 38 year old Matthew Dupre arrived in Bangkok on a special air force flight late on Sunday. His extradition was approved by a court in the Canadian province of Alberta last December.
Dupre is wanted in connection with the murder of a criminal gang member in Phuket in February 2022. Jimi Sandhu, an Indian-Canadian national was gunned down as he arrived at his Rawai villa, in an apparent dispute between rival criminal gangs with roots in Canada.
Jirabhop Bhuridej, commissioner of Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau, addressed the media at a news conference following Dupre’s arrival back in the kingdom.
“The deceased is connected with the United Nation Gang and was linked to the murder of one of the leaders of another gang, called the Red Scorpions, in Canada.”
Footage released by police shows Dupre on board the flight from Canada, wearing handcuffs and surrounded by police officers. The suspect was extradited on a specially chartered Thai Air Force aircraft after commercial carriers refused to transport him due to security concerns.
Thailand’s state prosecutor Intranee Sumawong says that under the extradition agreement, Dupre will not face the death penalty, but that it was important that he face justice in Thailand.
“We have to get hold of the suspect so that he be prosecuted under the Thai judicial system. We have to ensure that there is security in Thailand and uphold our reputation that this country is safe to live in.”
SOURCE: Reuters
