A MAN has been arrested in Thailand and is set to be extradited back to the UK in connection with a years-long Essex Police drugs probe.

Essex Police's serious and organised crime unit has been investigating a suspected drug supply network, focusing on the wholesale supply of cocaine across the South East of England.

The investigation focused specifically on Class A and B drug supply activity between July 2021 and May 2022.

As a result of this ongoing work, in partnership with the National Crime Agency, Royal Thai Police and Central Investigations Bureau, a significant arrest was made in the Phuket Province of Thailand on Sunday.

Arrest - the man now faces extradition back to the UKArrest - the man now faces extradition back to the UK (Image: Essex Police)

The 28-year-old man, from Wickford, was taken into custody and will now face extradition proceedings with the collaboration of the Thai Office of the Attorney General.

Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, of SOCU, said: “We have been working closely with National Crime Agency partners and thank the Thai law enforcement agencies who made a key arrest in this case.

“It is a result of good partnership working between multiple agencies and lengthy intelligence gathering.

“My team is focused on dismantling and disrupting the organised criminal networks which lie behind and fuel the harmful trade in drugs across Essex.”