British drug trafficker arrested in Thailand

A suspected British drug dealer wanted was arrested in the seaside resort of Cha-Am yesterday. The French police claim he was the mastermind behind a gang that smuggled hundreds of kilos of cocaine and heroin through France into England.

Michael France, 53, was arrested after a tip-off from French law enforcement officials through the French embassy in Thailand. The man moved to Thailand in 2008 and purchased a luxury flat in Cha-Am where he was picked up. The French police said the suspect fled France after customs officers arrested a group of Englishmen carrying almost 30g of cocaine and 95.11 kilos of heroin in their car.

Following an investigation, French authorities said gang members were paid between four and ten thousand pounds per shipment. They believe the gang had been active for eighteen months.

French officials told their Thai counterparts that France had been behind the scheme and had hired men to transport the drugs. At a news conference held at Suvarnabhumi Airport the suspect said that he had been unaware of the allegations against him.

Immigration police chief Lt. Gen. Panu Kerdlarppol said France would be interrogated and his case was forwarded to Thai prosecutors for further action. It is thought the man will be deported back to France.

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