In a move towards addressing drug issues in the country, Phuentshogling Police have now started checking armed forces vehicles at the Rinchending check post. This means that no vehicles of the Police, Royal Bhutan Army and the Royal Body Guard would go beyond the integrated check post without being checked. Foreign military vehicles will also be checked at Rinchending.
Until now, armed forces vehicles, including foreign military vehicles were not inspected at the check posts across the country.
However, the police in Phuentshogling recently received directives from the National Drug Task Force to extend these checks to such vehicles.
“This is basically to curb drug issues in our country. Also, I am sure it will help us in curbing the incidences of undeclared goods, controlled items, and other illegal items in armed force vehicles,” said Captain Shacha Dorji, officer commanding, Phuentshogling ICP.
Sniffer dogs are assisting in inspecting the vehicles. With four sniffer dogs already in Phuentshogling, the police will soon receive another two.
The police said the vehicle-checking initiative is currently being carried out only at the Rinchending check post.
The RBP recorded more than 950 drug-related cases and arrested over 1,700 individuals this year, making it the highest so far. The largest group among those arrested consisted of 700 unemployed individuals.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Sonam Pem
