September 11: The Narcotic drug law enforcement unit of the police has apprehended 237 people abusing or smuggling drugs so far this year. Last year the unit arrested 286.

This month alone the police apprehended nine people.

On Friday the police arrested a 30-year-old man for smuggling drugs. He was apprehended at around 9:20 pm at Chhudzom after a tip off.

He was found possessing pharmaceutical drugs, marijuana, chewing tobacco and cigarettes. Police say the tablets and marijuana packets were concealed inside a toy box.

Two days later the police arrested six men aged between 18–23 years for abusing marijuana. They were caught at an apple orchard in Dalukha, Thimphu.

The next day another man aged 21 years was caught abusing marijuana at Olakha in Thimphu. Police officials from the Narcotic Drug Law Enforcement Unit say intensive patrolling by the unit and proactive role played by the public has led to more arrests.

Police said the one step diagnostic testing kit has also been useful in confirming doubtful cases. Using the kit, it can be confirmed within five minutes through urine test if the person has been on drugs or not.

Police say solvent like dendrite are the most abused drugs followed by marijuana and pharmaceutical drugs.

According to records maintained by the police, majority of the drug abusers are youths aged 25 years and below. Last year 254 youth were arrested and this year, 166 have been caught till August.