Chencho Dema

In a major foreign currency bust at the Paro International Airport, customs and security officials seized undeclared sums of USD 500,000 in two separate incidents involving a businessman and a businesswoman, both bound for Bangkok, Thailand.

The businessman, in his 40s, was caught with USD 360,000 on September 6 while the 49-year-old woman was caught with USD 140,000 on August 30.

The businessman, originally from Trashigang but now based in Paro, was stopped during the security check before entering the boarding area.

Customs officials successfully stopped the suspect from boarding the flight after uncovering six envelopes, each containing USD 60,000. The cash was meticulously wrapped in Indian newspaper and concealed within yellow DHL envelopes inside his check-in luggage.

He was scheduled to take the Bhutan airlines flight to Bangkok that morning.

The businessman reportedly deals in vehicle spare parts. He previously ran a business in Phuentsholing.

Sources told Kuensel that the suspect is believed to have collected the money from an Indian contact, who handed over the money through business dealings. Prior to his travel to Bangkok, the suspect had travelled to Phuentsholing to meet the Indian man to collect the dollars.

        The purpose of the money and its intended recipient are still uncertain, but it is suspected that the cash was meant for an Indian man based in Bangkok. Sources indicate that the USD might have been intended for the purchase of gold.

The businessman has been handed over to the Paro police for investigation.

Customs regulations require travellers to declare any foreign currency equivalent to or exceeding USD 10,000 to customs either before departure or upon arrival.

In a separate incident on August 30, the 49-year-old businesswoman was detained at the Paro Airport with USD 140,000 in her hand luggage. The cash, neatly organised into 14 packets of USD 100 each, was discovered during security screening.

From Paro, the businesswoman was scheduled to fly on an evening Drukair flight.

Sources told Kuensel that in her statement, she claimed that the money was borrowed from an Indian man in Jaigaon to purchase a cargo container in Bangkok.

Sources indicated that while USD 100,000 was a loan, the remaining USD 40,000 was her own savings.

Both suspects have been released on bail, and the seized currency has been transferred to the Royal Monetary Authority.