Thinley Namgay

Thimphu dzongkhag court’s criminal bench II this week sentenced a 33-year-old man to nine years in prison for illicit trafficking of controlled substances.

The court also sentenced the man’s partner, a 32-year-old woman to three years in prison.

Jigme from Tongmajangsa, Trashiyangtse and his partner, Kelzang Choden from Shumar in Pemagatshel were arrested after police found 5,743 capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon Plus (SP+)  from Kelzang Choden’s house in Changzamtog on December 7 last year.

According to the judgment, Jigme and Kelzang Choden went to Phuentsholing to procure the controlled substances and sent the substances to Thimphu concealing it in groceries of a friend.

After police were tipped off about the substances, police raided Kelzang Choden’s house. The two, who were still in Phuentsholing then, were arrested and sent to Thimphu.

Jigme’s crime was graded as a second degree felony as per section 139 (2) of the Narcotics Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse (Amendment) Act of Bhutan 2018.

The judgment also stated that he had two past records of illicit trafficking of drugs. “Due to repeated conviction, his prison terms were enhanced from third-degree to second-degree felony.”

It also stated that Kelzang Choden was found guilty of accomplice liability. Accomplice liability is a form of liability for individuals who were of some assistance in a criminal act. The crime was graded a fourth degree felony.

It was learnt the defendants did not appeal to the High Court.