Thimphu police apprehended 26 people, between 15 and 42 years, in connection with alleged trafficking and abuse and possession of controlled substances during the last two weeks.

Of the total, 15 were arrested and detained in connection with the alleged illicit trafficking while 11 were alleged of abusing them. Three are female and two are students.

Thimphu police’s officer-in-command (OC), Major Wangdi, said that the 11 people arrested for drug abuse are referred to Bhutan Narcotic Control Authority for counselling and treatment.

Police seized 1,580 spasmoproxyvon (SP) capsules, 30 N10 and 42.223 grams of hashish.

Major Wangdi said the increase in the number of illicit traffickers and abusers could be because of easy availability of these substances in border towns. “People might be taking the opportunity of the black market.”

Meanwhile, Sarpang police arrested two men, aged 23 and 27, for allegedly possessing 1,580 pieces of spasmoproxyvon plus (SP+), 72 grams of dried marijuana leaves and a hookah pipe on September 10.

The duo was on their way to Thimphu from Gelephu in a public transport bus when police was inspecting the bus at the Sarpang check post.

Police sources said that the controlled substances were found wrapped in

brown cello tape and concealed with clothes in a luggage bag.

The two men told police that the drugs were bought from Jaigaon, India, which is a border town with Bhutan.

Of the two arrested, the 27-year-old man is from Nangkhor, Zhemgang and is a bachelors of education (BEd) graduate. The 23-year- old is a student of Sikkim Manipal University, India from Samkhar, Trashigang.

Police said this is the third arrest made so far this year for illegal possession of SP+.

They violated th provisions of the Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act of Bhutan, 2015.

The section 137 on illegal possession of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances states, “A defendant shall be guilty of an offence of illegal possession of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, listed in Schedule III or IV of this Act if the quantity is less than the limit determined in Schedule VII of this Act but fails to produce a prescription from a registered physician for licit use.

”Section 139 of the Act on illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances states that a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances if he or she possesses, imports, exports, stores, sells, purchases, transports, distributes, or supplies: any substances under Schedules I and II of this Act regardless of the degree of purity or formulation; or any substances under Schedules III and IV of this Act regardless of the degree of purity.