Close to 800 security forces are on guard every day along the 183-kilometre long international border in Samtse. Despite close vigilance, people have been trying to cross the border illegally to smuggle in drugs, alcohol and tobacco products. Since March last year, the Samtse District Court has convicted 113 such perpetrators to prison terms between eleven months and sixteen years.
Among those jailed, one of the five people arrested from Gomtu in July last year for selling drugs and tobacco received the highest sentencing of 16 years and six months. His other accomplices were sentenced between eight to 14 years.
The five were charged with breach of border security protocols, criminal nuisance, breach of public order and tranquillity, trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and tobacco distribution.
The oldest amongst the lot, a 79-year-old man, was convicted for three years and two months. Two minors, a male and a female both aged 16 have been given two years of prison time. Another two minors are currently under trial.
Four Indian nationals, two men and two women, have been sentenced as well. The two men got a prison term of two years three months, and four years three months, respectively. While one woman got ten years, the other was sentenced for three years and nine months.
Meanwhile, 24 convicts arrested for failure to report crime and whose sentence term is below 11 months, have been released on payment in lieu of imprisonment. This year, January alone saw four arrests for illegal border crossing.
Sherub Dorji
