India-bound Nepali teenagers held with marijuana consignment

BIRATNAGAR: Nepal Police made public five teenagers, who were arrested for their alleged involvement in marijuana smuggling, in Biratnagar on Friday.

Acting on a tip-off, the suspects were arrested from a hotel in Biratnagar with 51.4 kg of marijuana yesterday. The contraband is worth millions of rupees in international drug market.

The Morang District Police Office identified the suspects as Pratap Singh Gole (18) and Buddha Bomjon (19) of Tistung-5, Makwanpur; Ram Gurung (18) and Arun Gurung (17) of Deupur-4, Kavre, and Milan Raut (18) of Bhumesthan-1, Kavre.

With the consignment concealed in suitcases, the suspected drug smugglers were heading to Kolkata, India from Kathmandu via Biratnagar when they were intercepted by police, according to SP Sandeep Bhandari.

The marijuana would fetch Rs 60,000 to 70,000 per kg in the Indian market, SP Bhandari said.

Police seized five mobile sets, IRs 14, 400, railway tickets, bus tickets and Nepali citizenship certificates from their possession.