THAI police said they have charged a Canadian man they described as a mercenary with the murder of an Indian gangster in the resort island of Phuket.
Officers launched an investigation after Jimi “Slice” Sandhu – whose nickname came from a distinctive scar on his face – was shot and killed in February 2022.
Interpol issued a red notice last year for Canadian citizen Matthew Leandre Ovide Dupre (pic) in connection with the murder.
The 38-year-old was extradited from Canada and returned to Thailand late on Sunday.
“He is a key suspect and a professional mercenary. He flew in and did not even bring a weapon,” National Police Chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas told reporters.
Dupre was charged with premeditated murder, illegal gun possession, and firing a gun, a police statement said.
Officials said Dupre denies all charges. Damrongsak said Dupre was a former soldier and mercenary who had worked in several countries, including Afghanistan.
He had arrived directly from Canada in Bangkok on a Thai Air Force flight, Damrongsak said.
“It is a difficult case, no commercial flights or countries allowed the plane to refuel as they were concerned about hostage-taking,” he said.
Officers will continue to investigate who supplied the weapon.
“The deceased is linked with the United Nation Gang and to the murder of a leader of another gang, called the Red Scorpion, in Canada,” central investigation bureau commissioner Jirabhop Bhuridej said. — AFP