KATHMANDU: Nepal Police said an Iranian national was arrested on Saturday in possession of 1.7 kilogram hashish from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

A team deployed from the Narcotics Control Bureau had arrested the 34-year-old Vahid Nikzamir (Passport number: B36198875) at around 1:30 pm yesterday during a routine screen examination.

The contraband was hidden in his suitcase and was being sent to Colombo of Sri Lanka via Mumbai of India, according to police.

He was heading to board a Jet Airways flight to Mumbai at 2:55 pm when he was arrested.

Meanwhile, the NCB said the man was staying in Nepal since July 21.

A hashish addict for last 15 years, the Iranian man had come to Nepal for the first time in 2013 after learning that quality hashish was available in Nepal, the NCB said.

He was currently residing in Sri Lanka and was planning to smuggle the contraband for personal use, the NCB investigation found.

Meanwhile, police also found 405 gram yarsagumba from his possession.

The foreigner would face difference cases for hashish and yarsagumba smuggling.