The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The recent incident of three cases of gold smuggling reported at the Paro International Airport, shows Bhutan is being used as an international route by gold smugglers.
Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) said that earlier mostly Indian carriers were involved in the gold smuggling.
However, in the past few days, the trend is shifting, as in the recent case, a Thai national was caught, with the main party phishing being Indians who offer some sort of package to anybody who is willing to visit Bhutan.
The recent Thai national involved in attempting to smuggle gold powder from Bangkok, Thailand into Bhutan, was a college student.
He was offered a package of three days to stay in Bhutan. First day land in Paro, go to Thimphu for sightseeing, next day go to Taktsang and third day they return by Jaigoan to India.
All the expenses are covered by the main smuggler.
Also, RBP shared that looking at the trend, Bhutan is just a route because the gold doesn’t stay here.
Further, the strategy of smuggling gold is also changing. As in the past, the smugglers or carriers used to carry gold powder and bars. However, now the gold paste is painted on to the inner layer of clothes which are not removable and are not easily detected.
In the recent gold bust, the suspects concealed the gold in their bodies.
RBP apprehended a Thai national on 10 March 2024 following a tip-off suggesting his involvement in attempting to smuggle gold powder from Bangkok, Thailand into Bhutan.
He was arrested from a hotel in Paro town with more than 3kg of gold powder cello taped and concealed in his pants.
As per sources on 8 March 2024, two Indians were intercepted attempting to smuggle 2.5 kg of gold powder which were found concealed inside of their jean pants that they were wearing.
They were traveling from Bangkok to Paro and planned to exit Bhutan via road to Phuentsholing and then to Jaigoan, India.
Also, on 3 March 2024 an Indian national was apprehended with 140 grams of gold piece that was found concealed in the jacket pocket he was wearing. He was traveling from Bangkok to Paro and planned to exit Bhutan via Jaigoan.
In both the instances, the suspects were identified as high-risk passengers while carrying out the daily passenger profiling conducted by a dedicated team of customs officials. They were then closely monitored, their belongings scanned through X-ray machine and questioned by the field customs officials.
Nothing was detected through normal course of action. However, since the suspects displayed change in their behavioral pattern, their body were thoroughly frisked by customs officials, and in the process intercepted the concealed gold.
In Bhutan, gold is sold from the Duty-Free outlets only.
It was known that as a duty-free baggage allowance, a Bhutanese national and foreigners above the age of 15 years residing in Bhutan and travelling by air and returning to the country is entitled to bring in gold, in any form including in jewelry, up to 50 grams.
However, aircrew and foreigners including tourist are not entitled to bring in gold under baggage allowance.
Nevertheless, a person can import gold in any quantity and in any form including jewelry beyond its baggage allowance if he or she possesses import permit obtained from Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan and declares to customs at the point of entry into Bhutan.
As far as Paro International Airport is concerned, the common route is from Bangkok to Paro.
While asking how are customs and law enforcement working on the preventive front of such illegal gold smuggling across the borders, the Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC), Ministry of Finance shared that they do not have access or hold any participation to any preventive activities being initiated across border since it is beyond the jurisdiction of the department.
DRC said that the gold smugglers perceive the Bhutan customs enforcement capacity is not competent enough to apprehend smugglers, and that it is easy to pass through.
However, over the period of time, the customs enforcement capacity has been strengthened in terms of equipment used, number of manpower deployed, and methods and techniques used to deal with illicit trade.
DRC said that they cannot confirm with certainty, whether the smugglers play the role of carrier and are paid by someone. However, upon interrogation, most of the smugglers declare themselves as the carrier.
RBP shared that the individuals will be charged for smuggling.
As per the Penal Code of Bhutan, a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of smuggling, if the defendant secretly and illegally imports or exports the restricted and prohibited goods or substances including animal parts.
The offence of smuggling shall be a value-based sentencing.
