Singaporean fugitive arrested with drugs and explosive-making chemicals in dramatic condo raid
A Singaporean fugitive was arrested with drugs and explosive chemicals in a dramatic condo raid over a dark web poisoning plot in Thailand.
The suspect, identified only as Joel, 40, allegedly fled his home country to escape criminal and drug-related charges before planning to poison fellow tenants at his condominium in Bangkok.
He is believed to have been living in the neighbouring country for three years, using his 'handsome and youthful' appearance to pose as a student.
Cops raided Joel's condo in Bangkok on September 3, following intelligence about the chilling mass poisoning plot at the building.
Footage shows officers in hazmat suits converging on his room at the end of a corridor, before storming inside when he opened the door.
They tackled the suspect and put him in handcuffs.
Police seized from the room three grammes of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with 200,000 baht in cash and two mobile phones containing evidence of an 18,000-baht order for toxic substances.
They also found potentially explosive and hazardous materials, including 0.5 kilogrammes of potassium nitrate, sodium metabisulphite, ammonia solution, nitric acid, borax, two detonation devices and five gas canisters.
Joel was hauled to the Lak Song Police Station and charged with illegal possession of Category 1 narcotics, illegal consumption of Category 1 narcotics and overstaying.
Authorities said further charges related to the hazardous chemicals were being prepared.
Police said they had launched a manhunt for Joel in January, following a tip in January that he was hiding out in Thailand while going on meth-fuelled frenzies.
A background check with Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau found that Joel was reportedly a high-priority criminal wanted on a warrant in Singapore.
He had an extensive criminal record, including numerous drug-related offences and serious violent felonies, marking him as a dangerous offender and a threat to public security.
Officials said they had spent months tracking down the elusive suspect before they came upon a single lead - that he frequents hostess bars in the Bang Khae area of Bangkok.
Undercover agents then posed as wealthy patrons, plying bar girls with drinks to uncover more information.
One of the waitresses who dated Joel claimed he routinely subjected her to extreme violence, inflicting abuse so severe it left her with burst blood vessels in her eyes. He also allegedly threatened her with a knife and kept telling her to jump off a building.
Worryingly, the woman claimed Joel was planning to poison his condo's water tank with toxic substances, sparking urgent action.
Police then confirmed Joel had indeed purchased from the dark web 0.7 ounces (20 grammes) of a 'mass-killing toxic substance' 10,000 times more potent than morphine, and 0.35 ounces (10 grammes) of a drug typically used for animal euthanasia or executions.
They traced him to the property before he could carry out his sinister plan.
Police Major General Theeradej Thamsuthee, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said: 'Based on the evidence and method discovered on the suspect's mobile phone, preparations with highly dangerous toxic substances were underway.
‘If we had misstepped or moved too slowly, it could have resulted in a severe incident.
‘The leading theory points to a breakdown caused by drug-induced psychosis, though no evidence of terrorism has surfaced at this time.
‘We coordinated with Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau, which confirmed the suspect is a high-surveillance narcotics criminal.
‘Regarding the explosive components, experts have advised that the seized chemicals were insufficient to produce a lethal explosive device.
‘Multiple chemical substances have been sent to the Police Forensic Science Office for further examination.
‘I would like to thank the public for their exceptional cooperation with police officers during this operation.'
During questioning, Joel allegedly confessed that he had previously been arrested and prosecuted on drug charges.
In 2024, he was said to have committed another offence before fleeing to Thailand, swearing that 'he would never go back to Singapore'.
He claimed he was stressed as his friend swindled him out of 2.5 million baht.
He added that his mental condition further deteriorated because of his current girlfriend, whom he claimed neglected him.
He said he had bought the lethal chemicals online to kill himself, explaining that he ordered a large quantity because he feared a smaller dose might fail to kill him.
Police said no evidence has been found linking Joel's plan to terrorism. They added that the seized chemicals were insufficient to make a deadly explosive device.
