Over the last three years, drug cases have been decreasing in the country. Police attribute the decrease to public awareness and enhanced drug enforcement efforts.
Last year, there were 1,750 drug cases reported, which is 100 cases fewer than in 2024.
Similarly, 2024 saw a drop in the number of cases compared to 2023.
Over the past three years, Thimphu reported the highest number of drug-related cases, with more than 2,000 cases.
In contrast, Trongsa recorded the lowest, with only 22 cases during the same period.
Including these, over 5,500 cases were reported nationwide.
Colonel Passang Dorji, Deputy Chief of Police of Crime Division said, “If we get the support from the community, we can go beyond that. It is not going to be far to come to zero cases. We can. We are a small country.”
While drug cases have been decreasing, police said the country is seeing hard drugs such as cocaine, brown sugar, and heroin being smuggled in recent years.
The Deputy Chief of Police said that Bhutan is primarily being used as a transit point for these drugs rather than as a market.
“The real hard drug coming in is not possible to a great extent. But the adulterated ones coming into the country from across the border, there is a possibility. They pretend its brown sugar and cocaine, which is actually more harmful.”
He added suspected hard drugs are typically sent to the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority for verification.
Consuming of drug not only damages physical health but also deteriorates the mind. Therefore, combating drug abuse requires collective responsibility and continued cooperation from the public.