KATHMANDU, JULY 20
The Department of Revenue Investigation on Thursday arrested six individuals involved in a major gold smuggling case, involving the recovery of approximately 100 kilograms of gold.
The gold was seized at the Tribhuvan International Airport area on Wednesday, where the department's team discovered the gold concealed inside a taxi near the airport's runway.
The investigation is ongoing to locate the missing and absconding individuals related to the case, Director-General of the department, Navaraj Dhungana,was quoted as saying in RSS.
Immediately after the gold seizure, two individuals were arrested in front of the airport's customs office and four more suspects were apprehended this morning in relation to the case. The identity of the arrested suspect has not been disclosed. The taxi used for transporting the gold and its driver have also been taken into custody for further investigation, added Dhungana.
According to Dhungana, the seized gold was allegedly brought in from Hong Kong, making this the largest gold seizure incident in Nepal to date.
In response to this high-profile case, the Customs Department has formed a seven-member committee, led by the Director of the Investigation Branch, Man Bahadur Poudel, to conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the gold smuggling case. Information officer Punyavikram Khadka confirmed that the committee has been allotted five days to compile the essential report.
To ensure the safety and integrity of the seized gold, it has been securely transported to the Mint Division of the Nepal Rastra Bank for testing and storage.
