Umling Drungkhag court in Gelegphu sentenced four men to more than ten years in prison on May 5 for drug smuggling and two women for six years in prison on May 6 for smuggling tobacco products.
The six of them were arrested at the border area by different patrolling teams at different locations while they were trying to smuggle in drugs and tobacco products from across the border to Gelegphu through illegal routes.
The four men were arrested on March 23 at Tashiling demkhong near the airport with 112 files of illicit drugs. They have been sentenced to prison for 10 years and four months for violating section 139.2 of the Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse (NDPSSA) Act of Bhutan 2015, attempt of smuggling substance abuse.
They have also been charged under Criminal Nuisance, Section 410 and 411 (B) and breach of Public Order and Tranquility under the section of 448 and 449 of the Penal Code of Bhutan for breaching border security regulations despite sealing of Bhutan- India border gate.
Similarly, the two women were sentenced to non-compoundable prison terms of 6 years 5 months and 28 days for smuggling tobacco products.
One woman was found in possession of 600 pieces of cigarettes and 120 grams of chewing tobacco and the other one was arrested with 139 pieces of cigarettes and 150 chewing tobacco.
Karma Wangdi
