KATHMANDU: Police have arrested five persons involved in smuggling and trading of brown heroin, from different places in Kathmandu Valley on Tuesday.

A total of 43.5 gram brown heroin and Rs 68,000 was seized from the suspects.

The Narcotics Control Bureau of Nepal Police arrested Suraj Sangat (27) of Jaya Bageshwori in possession of seven gram heroin and Rs 4,000 cash while he was waiting for a bike (Ba 49 Pa 3406) at Pingalsthan allegedly in a bid to sell the narcotic drug. After further investigation, it had been learnt that he had bought the heroin from Sunil Gupta (32) of Nepalgunj, Banke.

Subsequently, police raided Gupta's current residence in Tilganga and arrested him with 5.5 gram heroin. Gupta works as a Liaison Officer at the Panas Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, Nepalgunj, according to police.

Police investigation later revealed that Gupta had hidden 22 gram heroin in a cupboard of Department of Drug administration (DDA), Bijulibazaar. Police also seized a digital scale along with the drug from the DDA.

Police further arrested Prakash Joshi (22), Saddam Ansari (22), and Birendra Singh (32), who had bought the illegal drugs from Gupta. The trio, who are permanent residents of Banke, were arrested from Gaushala-based Asian Guest House along with nine gram heroin and Rs 64,000 cash.