Sarpang’s dzongkhag court sentenced a 28-year-old farmer from Dakphey in Zhemgang to five years and six months in prison for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance and cannabis.

Jigme Tashi, who was apprehended by police on duty at Sarpang check post on September 9 last year based on tip-off for possessing 1,580 capsules of Spasmoproxyvon plus (SP+) and 73gms of cannabis, was given a concurrent sentencing.

The March 29 judgment stated that although he was given five years and six months imprisonment for the 1,580 capsules of SP+ and three years for 73gms of cannabis, he was given the concurrent sentencing because he did not have any criminal record and was therefore not a repeat offender.

The sentencing, according to the judgment, was based on Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act of Bhutan 2015.

The court also sentenced Sonam Wangchuk, 24, from Bikhar in Trashigang to three months in prison for failing to report the crime.

He could pay Nu 11,250 in lieu of the prison term, as the crime is graded a violation according to section 431 of the Penal Code.

The two men were apprehended while travelling from Gelephu to Thimphu in a public transport.

The judgment stated that the prosecutor from Office of the Attorney General (OAG) contended that Jigme Tashi had bought the prohibited substances from Jaigoan in Phuentsholing on September 7 last year and went to Gelephu to avoid police arrest.

It stated that Jigme Tashi requested the court to lower his sentence as he did not intend to make a profit or illicit trafficking from selling the substances.

Tashi Dema