Yangyel Lhaden

The Sarpang police apprehended a 25-year-old man from Dekiling, Sarpang for using illegal routes to cross the border.

Early yesterday, the gewog administration officials filed a complaint to the police about the suspect having illegally crossed the border.

The man confessed to the crime. The man had crossed the border to sell off five cattle belonging to his family for Nu 60,000, six boxes of Spasmo Proxyvon Plus capsules, and some tobacco products.

According to police, the man had crossed the border in broad daylight through the dense forest of Dekiling that shares porous border with India.

The police also apprehended the man’s two friends. The police recovered drugs from them. All three are in quarantine centres in Gelephu.

According to Sarpang medical official, 13 secondary contacts have been traced and are home quarantined. Test for the three primary contacts would be conducted today, the medical official said.

After completion of 21 days mandatory quarantine period, the men will be escorted by the police and taken to court.   

According to health ministry, whoever enters back to Bhutan without following quarantine protocols have to bear their own quarantine and Covid-19 tests expenses with a 10-day community service. The people who illegally cross the border will have to bear their own quarantine and Covid-19 test expenses and would be dealt with strictly as per the law of land.

According to the police, the suspects would be charged with additional penalties for Criminal Nuisance, Section 410 and 411 (b) and for the Breach of Public Order and Tranquility (Section 448 and 449) of the Penal Code of Bhutan.

There are 34 points of entry identified in Sarpang that are being guarded around the clock by police, army, DeSuups, and foresters.