More than 85 per cent of all criminal drug offences recorded last year were drug trafficking. According to the statistical yearbook, the police recorded some 300 cases, an increase of more than 20 per cent compared to 2024.
The police recorded 382 criminal drug incidents across the country last year. 3,100 people were arrested, accounting for nearly half of all arrests nationwide.
And 301 cases involved drug trafficking. It accounted for 85.1 per cent of all criminal drug offences, including cases involving cannabis trafficking and attempted trafficking. 2024 saw 248 cases.
This made illicit trafficking the second most common criminal offence in the country, after battery last year.
The report reveals a particularly strong concentration of drug-related incidents in border and urban areas.
Chhukha recorded the highest number of criminal drug incidents, with 125 cases, followed by Thimphu (104) and Sarpang (39).
Together, these three districts accounted for 70.2 per cent of all criminal drug offences last year. The report links this to the border, trafficking routes and commercial activity, with Phuentshogling emerging as a key drug-trafficking area.
The police also recorded 1,279 substance-abuse incidents in 2025. Under the current system, first-time offenders are referred for counselling and rehabilitation, while court action begins at the fourth instance.
Last year, 38 such fourth-instance convictions were recorded within the criminal drug statistics.
Criminal drug incidents were recorded in 15 districts in 2025, while Lhuentse, Trashi Yangtse, Tsirang, Zhemgang and Gasa reported no such offences.
Sonam Yuden
