𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐦𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐬 𝐀 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐇𝐮𝐛 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐦

…𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒗𝒖𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒘 𝒆𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔

By Kezang Choden

The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) has reported an alarming surge in the trafficking of hard drugs, particularly brown sugar and heroin, with 20 cases recorded this year alone. The rise in cases has led to the arrest of 25 individuals from Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, Samdrupjongkhar, and Samtse districts.

Authorities suspect that many of these cases are linked to organized smuggling operations, using Bhutan as part of a larger transit route for international drug trafficking networks. While the primary concern remains external trafficking, the RBP is also investigating potential domestic consumption of these substances. The emergence of heroin, in particular, represents a worrying shift from previous drug-related issues predominantly involving pharmaceutical substances and marijuana.

One of the most concerning aspects of brown sugar and heroin is their high cost, making them far more expensive than other commonly reported substances abuse in the country. This shift raises fears that drug users may resort to criminal activities to fund their addiction, posing a greater risk to public safety. The increasing presence of such hard drugs highlights an urgent need for stronger measures to address both supply and demand within the country.

Colonel Passang Dorji, Chief Deputy of the RBP, expressed concern over Bhutan’s growing vulnerability as a transit hub for narcotics. “The rising frequency of heroin-related interceptions has raised fears that our country is being targeted as a transit point by international narcotics networks,” he stated. While domestic drug abuse remains an issue, the recent pattern of seizures suggests that Bhutan is being increasingly exploited by organized drug trafficker groups operating beyond its borders.

“The involvement of transnational drug syndicates presents a greater challenge for law enforcement agencies. Our officers are now tasked with tackling both domestic drug-related crimes and the complexities of international trafficking operations,” added Colonel Passang.

Over the past year, authorities have recorded a notable increase in drug smuggling attempts, with traffickers allegedly using country’s porous borders to move illicit substances, particularly heroin, from neighboring countries. Police warn that this trend could expose Bhutanese communities to a wider range of dangerous narcotics, straining public health systems and security forces.

Over the past three months, customs officials at Paro International Airport intercepted three separate heroin smuggling attempts, seizing a total of 31.43 kilograms of the illicit substance. The largest seizure occurred on February 4, 2025, when a 37-year-old Indian national was caught carrying 17.1 kilograms of heroin.

This case follows two similar incidents. On January 8, another Indian national was arrested with 9.73 kilograms of heroin, and earlier, on December 22, 2024, a third Indian national was caught smuggling 4.6 kilograms. All three individuals were traveling on flights from Bangkok to Paro, with the heroin reportedly passing undetected through Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand before reaching Bhutan. According to police, the suspects confessed that the contraband was destined for delivery in India. Authorities are now working to trace the network behind these smuggling operations.

Officials suspect that these middlemen were merely couriers, while the real masterminds remain at large. Authorities are now collaborating with international agencies to dismantle the supply chain and apprehend those responsible for orchestrating the smuggling operations.

In response to the rising threat, the RBP has intensified surveillance at border points and is conducting targeted operations to dismantle trafficking networks. Collaborations with regional and international agencies are being strengthened to monitor the movement of illicit substances and prevent Bhutan from becoming a regular conduit for narcotics trade.

Law enforcement officials emphasize the urgent need for heightened vigilance and public cooperation in reporting suspicious activities. “The increasing prevalence of hard drugs highlights the need for a collective national effort to combat this growing issue,” a senior police official stated. Authorities are also advocating for stricter border controls, enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and increased public awareness to curb drug trafficking and its potential impact on Bhutanese communities.

The authorities acknowledge that enforcement alone will not be enough to tackle this crisis. There is a pressing need for comprehensive drug prevention programs, rehabilitation centers, and community-driven initiatives to address the root causes of addiction and reduce demand. With heroin and brown sugar posing severe health risks, experts warn of the long-term consequences on Bhutan’s youth and workforce if left unaddressed.

As investigations continue, the RBP urges citizens to remain alert and work alongside law enforcement to safeguard Bhutan from the escalating threat of hard drug trafficking. Authorities are calling on parents, educators, and community leaders to play an active role in educating the youth about the dangers of drug abuse, ensuring that Bhutan remains resilient against the growing influence of narcotics syndicates.