Immigration police catch American fugitive in Pattaya

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Chonburi Immigration Police have arrested an American man wanted in the United States on drug charges.

Matthew Dray Plueger, 36, was apprehended whilst drinking on Beach Road near Soi 5 Feb. 7. He was initially booked on charges of illegally staying in the kingdom as he claimed to have lost his passport.

Matthew Dray Plueger (seated, left) is being deported back to the U.S.A. to face drugs charges. Matthew Dray Plueger (seated, left) is being deported back to the U.S.A. to face drugs charges.

Lt. Col. Prapansak Prasansuk alleged Plueger has been hiding out in Thailand for two years, but was only caught after he attempted to obtain more passport pages at the U.S. Embassy in Laos. The embassy confiscated the fugitive’s passport, but he was somehow able to escape detention and crossed over the border illegally in Nong Khai, the investigator said.

Wanted in California on drug possession and dealing charges, Plueger will be deported back to America.