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).
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.
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.
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