Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar

Samdrupjongkhar police arrested three men for allegedly smuggling tobacco products on June 9.

Police seized  930 packets of chewing tobacco (baba) and 704 sticks of cigarettes from the suspects, two are from Doksum in Trashiyangtse and one from Trashigang.

The suspects claimed that they had paid tax but did not have the declaration form, according to police.

According to sources, the suspects were sent to quarantine on their own expense because they have smoked and handled the products without any safety gears.

Police investigation would begin once they complete their quarantine period.

Police also found a bag with 1,434 packets of baba, 28 bundles of bidi and 20 packets of cigarettes in the bushes at Teenkilo on the same day.

Residents said that the tobacco consumers in Samdrupjongkhar are lucky as they are allowed to import the tobacco products paying 100 percent sales tax unlike other places in the country.

“But it is also becoming a serious concern with the increase of tobacco products smuggling in the thromde,” a resident, Karma said.