Kathmandu, September 24

Narcotics Control Bureau has arrested two foreigners, including an Indian woman, in possession of 2.7 kg cocaine worth around Rs 57 million in the international drug market.

The alleged members of a transnational drug racket nabbed from a Thamel-based hotel yesterday are Bolivian national Adhemar Anez Lopez, 27, (passport number (A962231) and 59-year-old Qamar Jahan (passport number (H3791750) of New Delhi, India.

DIG Thule Rai, NCB in-charge, said the anti-drug agency of Nepal Police had made an arduous effort to dismantle a layer of the transnational drug racket rooted in Bolivia. “A Nigerian man by the name of Ruffcoins Colains Uwax in Bolivia was the origin of the seized consignment of cocaine. He asked Lopez to carry the contraband to Kathmandu and hand it over to Jahan with the promise of handsome wage,” he informed.

The Nigerian drug dealer gave Lopez the cocaine concealed in the false bottom of a suitcase. Adhemar arrived in Kathmandu with the consignment of cocaine a couple of days ago from Bolivia through Brazil and Dubai and stayed in a hotel in Thamel.

Acting on a tip-off, NCB tracked the Bolivian man to the hotel and arrested both him and Jahan while handing over and receiving suitcase. DIG Rai said the destination of the cocaine was India and Behenji, a Delhi-based Indian woman, had allegedly tasked Jahan with the responsibility of receiving the suitcase from the Bolivian and bring it home.

Jahan had arrived here just yesterday and met Lopez at the hotel. According to NCB, they did not know each other and both of them were provided with special identity of the Bolivian and Indian by their respective bosses.

According to NBC, it has arrested over 21 cocaine traffickers from various places of Kathmandu, including Tribhuvan International Airport, in 11 cases since January 2012. Nearly 37 kg was seized from them. Of the foreign smugglers, 14 were women, mostly Thai, Filipino, South African, Bolivian, Venezuelan, Malaysian, Indian and Pakistani nationals.

Non-drug users are found transporting cocaine to various destinations for a petty amount. Cocaine is often known as ‘a rich person’s drug’ and is priced at around Rs 20 million per kg on the grey market.