KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 12
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested former Speaker and CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara on charges related to gold smuggling and organized crime.
According to a statement issued by CIB Chief SSP Shiva Kumar Shrestha, Mahara was detained for allegedly taking organized benefits through the illegal sale of gold seized from Chinese national Li Hansong at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Li was earlier arrested while attempting to smuggle 730 electric cigarettes concealed in 73 packets across two suitcases. The investigation later revealed that gold worth Rs 85.52 million, stored in a government warehouse, had been sold by an organized group for profit.
Mahara, also a former finance minister, is being investigated under the Customs Act, 2008, and laws concerning criminal advantage and organized crime, the CIB said.
