As per Royal Bhutan Police’s (RBP) statistic 2023, there were 3,669 individuals arrested, which includes 356 individuals below 18 years of age, 1,545 youths, and 1,768 adults.
Offence wise, 2,810 individuals were arrested for substance use, 759 for trafficking, 61 illegal sales of inhalants and solvents and 39 illegal possessions.
Occupation wise, 1,464 were unemployed, 470 were students, 589 were private employees, 40 were in government sectors, 40 trainees, prisoners or repeat offenders were 9, 296 drivers, 32 guides, 341 business owners, 101 farmers, 106 labors, 21 housewives and other 155.
Dzongkhag wise, it was 1,505 arrests in Thimphu, 715 in Chukha, 369 in Sarpang, 276 in Samtse, 206 in Paro, 142 in Samdrup Jongkhar, 114 in Wangdue, 76 in Dagana, 58 in Punakha, 35 in Mongar, 31 in Trashigang, 25 in Trashiyangtse, 22 in Pemagatshel, 17 in Trongsa, both Haa and Bumthang with 15 arrests and 13 in Zhemgang and 5 in Lhuentse.
Gender wise arrests were 3,441 males and 228 females.
Seizure wise, 243,849 capsules of SP Plus, 2,401 tablets of Nitrosun10, 14.97kgs of cannabis, 1.91kgs of hashes, 0.36gm of brown sugar, 0.006kg of ketamine, 12 numbers of fluids such as correction fluid and diluters, 550gms of dendrite, 148.01ltrs of thinner and 203ml bottles of Corex syrup were seized.
RBP said that the increasing number of arrests is due to strict checking.
A RBP official said, “Substance use is a slow poison to oneself, and it is literally going to kill the user. Please refrain from abusing such harmful substance.”
“We are there to guide and correct every abuser by referring them to SUD centers. However, for traffickers, it is a serious crime, and also as per law they will be penalized. These people are spoiling many youths and adults just for fast and easy money. We have zero tolerance for them.”
So ultimately govt is to be blamed!