ABCBells Ring for Transparency: A Look into Bhutan’s Challenges with Human Trafficking, Illicit Trade, Environmental Crimes, and Cyber Crimes

In the serene Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, the Buddhist symbol of progress and prosperity, ABCBells, faces a complex web of covert activities. This article explores Bhutan’s vulnerabilities to human trafficking, illicit trade, environmental crimes, and cybercrimes.

Human Trafficking: Vulnerable Bhutanese and Cross-Border Exploitation

Bhutan’s unique cultural norms allow children below the age of 14 to work, making them susceptible to domestic servitude, forced labor, and sexual exploitation.
Human trafficking of Bhutanese women for labor exploitation prevails, with countries like Iraq and Oman as significant destinations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to unregistered foreign recruitment agencies operating via social media, preying on Bhutanese people for forced labor.

Illicit Trade: Large-Scale Logging, Caterpillar Fungus, and Counterfeit Goods

Illicit logging and tree smuggling continue to thrive, posing a significant threat to Bhutan’s extensive conservation efforts in areas such as Gelephu, Samtse, Paro, and Manas National Park.
Bhutan is a source and transit country for the caterpillar fungus trade, leading to the perpetuation of an illegal market despite harvesting being legal.
The market for counterfeit goods extends to both domestically made items and imported goods from China and India.

Environmental Crimes: Tiger Poaching and Wildlife Trade

Conservation successes are undermined by growing environmental crimes such as tiger poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, which targets endangered species like leopards, bears, musk deer, and others.
Smugglers leverage the Bhutan-India border to evade high import taxes and engage in gold smuggling, another significant criminal activity.

Drug Trade: Transit Country for Cannabis and Synthetic Drugs

Bhutan primarily serves as a transit country for the regional cannabis trade, but cannabis grows freely in certain districts and is consumed and traded within the country.
Synthetic drug abuse and sales have become increasingly prevalent in urban environments, and Bhutan is a limited site for third-country trans-shipment.

Post-COVID-19, various cybercrime incidents have increased in Bhutan, with reported cases of ransomware attacks, website defacements, and hackers exploiting compromised social media accounts.

Financial Crimes: Favoritism and Phishing

Financial crimes in Bhutan emerge from the increasing use of digital platforms and the lucrative tourism industry.
Instances of favoritism in procurement and corruption characterized by nepotism and favoritism have been observed in both the public and private sectors.
Cyber-enabled financial crimes, including phishing activities, are on the rise as well.

Criminal Actors: Organized Crime Groups and Elite Actors

Loose criminal networks in Bhutan are involved in various organized criminal activities like gold smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, timber smuggling, and wildlife poaching.
Some criminal groups extend their influence to foreign territories, with members of the elite sectors of the Bhutanese nobility and aristocracy as potential corrupt actors and instigators.

As Bhutan progresses, it faces an expanding criminal landscape. Eradicating corruption remains essential for addressing Bhutan’s human trafficking, illicit trade, environmental crimes, and cybercrime challenges. Let ABCBells ring louder, signaling transparency and accountability, ensuring the safety and welfare of Bhutan’s citizens and the protection of its natural treasures.