Three Indian men, aged 50, 28, and 35, are currently in police custody in Paro for alleged heroin smuggling. The trio was intercepted by customs officials at Paro International Airport during routine checks, with over 32kg of heroin seized on different occasions. Lab tests have confirmed the contraband. Sources said the consignment was collected from Laos and headed to the Indian capital, Delhi.
In the first case, a 50-year-old man travelling alone from Bangkok to India via Paro Airport was apprehended in December with 4.6kg of heroin.
In January, a 28-year-old man was caught with more than 9kg of the drug.
And in the most recent case, on February 8th, a 35-year-old man, travelling with his wife and 5-year-old daughter, was found carrying 17kg of heroin. His wife and child were released after confirming their lack of involvement.
Police have forwarded these cases to the Office of the Attorney General.
Sources say a well-organised trafficking network seems to be operating through Laos, Vietnam, Bangkok, Paro, and Delhi. The detained individuals were suspected to be carriers, recruited through social media by their employers. Sources said this reflects the sophisticated nature of the operation.
The smuggling method was consistent across the cases: the drugs were laminated in plastic and hidden in coffee and chocolate packets. According to sources, it would usually be a woman supplying the packages in Laos before the carriers embarked on their journeys. Sources said the carriers, whose expenses were covered by the handlers were unaware of the contents,
The traffickers allegedly used the same online platform to book hotels in Phuentsholing and Paro. BBS learnt that a few hotel owners in Phuentsholing and Paro are also being investigated.
Authorities suspect that individuals in economic distress were targeted for recruitment. Some similar suspects are believed to have already crossed borders.
The seized contraband is valued at Nu 5,000 to 10,000 per gram, making the total seizure worth millions.
Namgay Wangchuk
Edited by Kipchu
