Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) crime statistics for the first half of 2026 reveal a significant shift in the country’s drug-related offences, with total cases dropping by 13 percent compared to the same period in 2025. According to the latest half-yearly report, drug-related offences fell from 819 cases in 2025 to 713 cases in 2026. The decline was mainly driven by fewer cases of substance abuse, which dropped from 650 to 584, while illicit trafficking of narcotic …

The total combined crime and drug cases saw a 4 percent decrease, falling from 2,066 offences in 2025 to 1,983 in 2026, the half-yearly data provided by the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) highlights a persistent and growing challenge regarding social and domestic offences. Meanwhile, excluding the drug offences, the general …

The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) crime statistics for the first half of 2026 have revealed a concerning upward trend in several key areas of public safety and cultural heritage. Comparative data from January to June shows significant increases in cases involving children in conflict with the law, sexual offences, and the vandalism of chorten and Lhakhangs when compared to the same period in 2025. Children in conflict with law The …

For seven years, 40-year-old Passang Dorji waited for the restoration of Changyul Bum Galem’s ancestral house in Punakha. When he first approached authorities in 2019 seeking permission to renovate the centuries-old structure himself, he said he was told that the government would support the restoration with a budget of Nu …

With counterfeit Nu.500 and Nu.1,000 notes detected in recent years, RMA highlights security features of current and new generation banknotes designed to strengthen protection against counterfeiting While counterfeit Bhutanese currency cases remain limited, counterfeit Nu.500 and Nu.1,000 notes have been detected in circulation, prompting renewed awareness on how the public …

The Wangdue Phodrang District Court has sentenced a 51-year-old man from Samtse to three years and six months imprisonment after finding him guilty of two counts of child molestation committed against his two stepdaughters. The judgment, passed on 6th July 2026, convicted Dophu of child molestation, a fourth-degree felony, for …

The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), on 3rd July 2026, filed a charge sheet before the Thimphu District Court against 10 minors in connection with a series of violent bullying cases involving students of Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School (MSS), following the circulation of videos showing the incidents on social media. According to police sources, …

Eight others convicted of battery, assault and aiding and abetting battery The Paro Dzongkhag Court on 10th July 2026 convicted Kelden Dorji (commonly known as Gunda Kelden) and Dorji Genzin (popularly known as Rapper Cutie) for criminal attempt to commit voluntary manslaughter in connection with the violent incident involving Tashi …

The Amochhu Temporary Shelter (ATS) in Phuentsholing continues to face significant risks from flooding and fire, with the government stating that there are no plans to renovate, rebuild or replace the existing structures. Responding to a question during the 29th Meet-the-Press session held on 3 July 2026, the Minister of …

Recurring flooding in Phuentsholing is being driven by a combination of climate-induced changes and large-scale landslides, according to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. Responding to a question during the 29th Meet-the-Press session held on 3rd July 2026, Lyonpo Chandra Bdr Gurung said that increased rainfall intensity and frequency linked …