The Bhutanese Leading the way.
A 43-year-old man from Haa was apprehended by Chinese border authorities on 17th December 2024, while attempting to smuggle a consignment of illicit substance into Tibet (China). Two accomplices, aged 27 and 34, who were traveling with him, managed to evade arrest and returned to Haa the following day.
The arrest came to light when the suspect’s sister lodged a complaint with the Haa police on 19th December, after learning about her brother’s detention from the two accomplices who had returned.
In response, Haa police arrested the two accomplices.
Upon interrogation, they revealed the names of others involved, which led to the arrests of 7 individuals connected to the case. The arrested individuals included those responsible for procuring the illicit substance from India, coordinators, and carriers— all of whom are Bhutanese nationals.
Later after the initial interrogation, many of them revealed that they were not aware of the content inside the package. The two individuals revealed that they were asked by two other coordinators that the small consignment which was tightly packed was to be delivered in Tibet.
Among those arrested was a 40-year-old suspect who confessed to receiving orders from a 23-year-old man, believed to be the mastermind behind the smuggling operation. According to the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), a total of nine individuals have been identified in connection with the case. So far, seven have been arrested, excluding the individual detained at the border and the alleged ringleader, who remains at large.
RBP officials stated that while the suspects’ confessions point to the 23-year-old as the key orchestrator of the smuggling operation, no concrete evidence has been found linking him directly to the crime. The seven arrested individuals have been released on bail.
Authorities further disclosed that the carriers traveled from Haa to Tibet on foot via remote walking trails. Most of them were yak herders from Haa, while others were unemployed individuals from Haa and Paro.
The case remains under active investigation, with police issuing arrest warrants for the primary suspect. Officials emphasized that only after his arrest will they be able to determine the origin of the illicit substance and uncover further details regarding the smuggling network.
This is the first recorded case of its kind in Bhutan, according to RBP officials.
