Police and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board launched an operation called “Grounding Dodorima Gang Leader” arresting the top boss of a cocaine trafficking network with over 380 million baht in turnover, who rammed police officers attempting to break through a cordon before being caught in his car.
On 10 June 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thamsuthi, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, disclosed that on the night of 9 June 2026 at approximately 22:00 hrs, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanpetch, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya Singhakmon, Secretary of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Narcotics Suppression Office, Pol. Gen. Somprasong Yenthuam, Special Advisor to the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Kritsada Kanchanalongkorn, Assistant Commissioner-General, Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Atchayon Kraithong, Commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, ordered the launch of the operation. “Grounding Dodorima Gang Leader” operation resulted in the arrest of Mr. Patrick, 36, Nigerian national, who was hiding in a luxury condo in Rama 3 area, Bang Phong Phang subdistrict, Yannawa district, Bangkok. Authorities seized approximately 18 grams of cocaine, one car valued at 200,000 baht, 178,800 baht in cash, and 1,900 US dollars (about 57,000 baht), approximately 40,000 baht in bank deposits, and several branded luxury items valued around 200,000 baht. The total value of seized assets was approximately 700,000 baht.
On 22 May 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thamsuthi, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau responsible for narcotics, led officers from the Narcotics Suppression Command to launch the “Dark Room Raid” operation. They executed a search warrant at a luxury condo in the Phra Nangklao Bridge area, Nonthaburi province, which was used as a base by a Romance Scam gang, arresting six foreign suspects.
Later, Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, ordered Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thamsuthi to conduct continuous investigations. Officers traced connections between cocaine trafficking and the Romance Scam gang, uncovering a major illegal business network in Thailand with over 300 million baht in turnover. Evidence showed this criminal group operated under the name “DODORIMA,” a regional branch of the global network “NBM OF AFRICA.”
Further investigation revealed the gang engaged in “merit-making tours,” traveling to donate to charitable causes to disguise their illegal business. The leader of DODORIMA was identified as Mr. Patrick, 36, a Nigerian who had been in Thailand for over seven years, frequently traveling between Thailand and Africa. He initially sold cocaine in tourist areas but rose to lead the operation. Within the past year, the network’s turnover exceeded 380 million baht. Patrick was also sending money back to Nigeria to build a large mansion. Tracing him was difficult due to many subordinates and his skills in evading investigations and money laundering. Although Patrick no longer primarily sold cocaine, he maintained relationships with prominent figures through cocaine, leading to this operation.
On 9 June 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej led officers from the Narcotics Suppression Command, in coordination with the Bangkok ONCB, to monitor and intercept Mr. Patrick driving into a luxury condo in Rama 3 area. They attempted a Car Block interception butMr. Patrickresisted arrest by reversing his vehicle and ramming officers to escape, injuring police officers. Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej ordered officers to break the car windows and disable the engine, successfully detaining him.
A search found about 18 grams of cocaine. Further searches of the condo uncovered cash and assets valued at about 700,000 baht. Investigation revealed key information on international organized crime and private chat groups discussing cocaine users in Thailand. Patrick was taken with evidence to Bang Phong Phang police station for legal proceedings, charged with possession and distribution of Category 2 narcotics (cocaine) without permission for commercial purposes, and resisting law enforcement.
Regarding money laundering charges, authorities are expanding the investigation. Seized assets under the Anti-Money Laundering Act were handed to the ONCB for safekeeping and further tracing. At arrest, Patrick confessed to cocaine offenses but denied involvement in money laundering, claiming the group was engaged in charitable donations funded by his fish trading business between Thailand and Nigeria.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thamsuthi, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, said this operation aligns with urgent government and Royal Thai Police policies led by Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanpetch and Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma to crackdown on foreign criminal enterprises operating illegally in Thailand. The suspect resisted arrest violently, causing injuries and property damage. The investigation uncovered important intelligence on transnational crime networks, not yet disclosed. This arrest of a network leader disrupts money laundering channels of a major international scammer and drug trafficking gang. Police will continue cooperating with the ONCB and international agencies to trace financial flows and pursue all involved, both foreign and Thai, to ensure strict prosecution.