American Ryan Steven Miller Arrested in Bangkok’s Din Daeng District

Mr Miller is a suspect under an arrest warrant from the state of Florida on the charge of conspiracy and selling illegal drugs. He was apprehended at his room in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district.

The suspect landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport from Vietnam in October last year and had been staying at hotels in both the capital and upcountry until the arrest.

Police said Mr Miller’s visa had expired, making him liable for charges of illegally residing in Thailand. He will be transferred to the US custody.

Miller, who fled to Thailand from Vietnam last October, first came to the FBI’s attention in 2007 when he allegedly sold around 300,000 Ecstasy pills over six months, before being hired by a Vietnamese narcotics ring to transport drugs.

The FBI says Miller then smuggled heroin with the True Asian Pride gang, earning as much as US$600,000 (Bt18.6 million) per week.

Miller has not worked since fleeing to Thailand, but has received Bt40,000 a month from “a friend”, say police.

Immigration were informed about the case by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The suspect was a key member of a major drug smuggling ring in Florida called ‘True Asian Pride’, with most members being of Asian origin. – MCOT