Paro district court yesterday sentenced Gyeb Tshering to almost 6 years for illegally smuggling gold from Tibet to India. The 48 year-old convict from Tsento Gewog in Paro was caught smuggling 43 Kg of gold in October last year.
The Office of Attorney General has charged the convict with Illegal import of gold from Tibet via illegal trade route without prior approval from the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA). The judgment passed yesterday states that the gold is worth more than Nu 26 M. This is so far the biggest gold smuggling case in Paro.
According to Foreign Exchange Regulation, A person is allowed to bring in 50 grams of gold, and any import or export of gold or silver coins, bars and bullion shall be carried out only with prior approval from RMA.
Penal Code of Bhutan 2011 states that a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of smuggling if the defendant secretly and illegally imports or exports the restricted and prohibited goods or substances including animal parts.
