23 June, 2008 - Customs officials seized tobacco products worth Nu 58,600 from an Indian vehicle at around 10:30 am yesterday in Phuentsholing.
The Indian vehicle, parked near the main gate, was headed towards Paro. An informer had tipped officials over the telephone about the illegal smuggling that was taking place.
According to the head of customs department in Phuentsholing, Wangchuk Thaye, the tobacco products seized included the Indian cigarette Wills, chewing tobacco Baba and bidis. The driver of the vehicle said that the seized tobacco products was meant for a vegetable vendor in Paro, who usually traded with shopkeepers in Thimphu.
“Daily we have six mobile inspectors in shifts who cover the whole of Phuentsholing but, as they use bikes, sometimes it’s difficult during heavy showers,” he said. The vehicle had been detained for further investigation.
The seized tobacco products are being burnt in a pit at Pasakha.
