Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/djpdrxmvr0p9ir1/VRP33717.mp4?dl=0
An Australian man was arrested for overstaying his visa in Thailand amid allegations of drug dealing and pimping.
Samuel James Norton Cook, 47, was investigated by police after being named as part of an alleged international mafia group involved in supplying drugs and prostituting Thai women to foreigners.
The Aussie, who was allegedly in hiding, was arrested when officers followed him while travelling to a Nakhon Si Thammarat province on May 18.
Upon searching his white Toyota car, police claim that he had been using a fake driver’s license and his passport indicated that he had been overstaying in the country for more than a year.
Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat District Police Station Officer Police Colonel Montian Baothong said there were tips about the Aussie being involved in illegal activities but they could only confirm his overstaying charges for now.
He said: ‘We could only confirm for now that he was charged with overstaying but the other allegations against him such as drug dealing and human trafficking are under investigation.’
The foreigner allegedly operated nightlife entertainment businesses in popular tourist destinations in Phuket province and was on the run for more than three months now.
He stayed in four hotels and resorts in Nakhon Si Thammarat and would keep himself inside the room during the day but would suspiciously travel at night.
During one of his travels, officers from the Royal Thai Armed Forces Command and provincial immigration police caught him leading to his arrest.
Samuel was still detained at the police station denying all his charges and claimed that he was doing legitimate business in the country.
Investigations on his associations with illegal activities were still ongoing.