Chencho Dema

Yesterday morning at 8:30 am, airport officials at Paro International Airport apprehended two Indian nationals in their 30s for allegedly smuggling 2.5 kilograms of gold powder.

The gold powder was discretely packaged in plastic and securely taped to the back of their pants. These individuals had arrived from Bangkok and were intending to travel to India by road.

Kuensel learned that the case was not handed over to the police until 3:30 pm yesterday. Additionally, on March 2, an Indian man in his late 20s was also caught by airport officials after being found in possession of 140 grams of gold bars.

The suspect was traveling from Bangkok to Phuentsholing, then onward to India.

According to the Customs Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2017, individuals traveling by air and returning to the country can carry gold, including jewellery, up to a maximum of 50 grams. As of now, the airport has recorded two cases of gold smuggling.

An airport official mentioned that with the deployment of a Dog Squad (K-9) at the airport, it is anticipated that cases of gold and drug smuggling will decrease, serving as a deterrent to potential suspects.

Meanwhile, sources informed Kuensel that due to stringent checks at the airport for incoming travellers from abroad, such cases are being reported quite frequently.