KATHMANDU: Nepal Police said its Narcotics Control Bureau has busted a racket of drug smugglers and arrested its kingpin along with four of his accomplices from Kathmandu.

Police said 90.56 kilogram of hashish and foreign currencies were seized from their possession.

The suspects have been identified as 37-year-old Herman Tamang of Sertung, Dhading; 35-year-old Akkal Bahadur Tamang of Bungtang, Nuwakot; 30-year-old Dhan Bahadur Gurung and 31-year-old Nara Bahadur Gurung of Baseri, Dhading; and 58-year-old Dil Bahadur Gurung of Bandipur, Tanahun.

They were paraded in Kathmandu today.

Dil Bahadur, who was jailed for eight years after he was convicted of drug smuggling, is said to be the kingpin of racket. After his release from the jail in mid-2013, Dil Bahadur apparently returned to the world of drug smuggling.

Preliminary investigation showed that the racket had been smuggling hashish to India, China, Hong Kong, Italy and Canada among other countries through courier, police said.

According to police, the NCB first got hold of Herman and Akkal Bahadur from the former's rented room in Narayan Chok of Budhanilakantha-12, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, on Monday.

The contraband was being concealed in hemp shoes and books meant for export through courier there. Besides hashish, police said, instruments and other paraphernalia used for the meticulous business were also seized.

Later, Dhan Bahadur and Nara Bahadur were rounded up from Chabahil of Kathmandu, while Dil Bahadur was arrested from Panipokhari on the same day.

Police said they seized foreign currencies -- USD 580, HKD 120 and Chinese Yuan 107 -- and a Chinese SIM card from Dil Bahadur's possession. Likewise, IRs 48,000 was seized from Dhan Bahadur's possession.

They face charges as per the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 (1976). Further investigation into the case is underway, police said.

Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 (1976)

14.1. Anyone who produces, prepares, purchases, sells and distributes, exports or imports, traffics and stores, cannabis/marijuana shall be punished as follows:-

d. With an imprisonment for a term from two years to 10 years and with a fine from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1,00,000, if it is 10 kg or more than this.