Nepal Police Arrests Four More Chinese Nationals in Connection with Gold Smuggling Operation

KATHMANDU – In a significant development, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police apprehended four additional Chinese nationals, including a woman, on Wednesday, in connection with an ongoing investigation into a gold smuggling operation. The arrests come following the earlier seizure of a substantial quantity of smuggled gold originating from Hong Kong and entering Nepal.

The gold, ingeniously concealed within the brake shoe of a scooter, was intercepted and confiscated by the Revenue Investigation Department on July 19th. The swift actions of law enforcement have shed light on an intricate network of illicit activities involving the illegal transportation of precious metals.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kuber Kadayat, the official spokesperson for the Nepal Police, revealed the identities of those detained as Mi-Tian (female), Wen Yang, Ding Sheng Fa, and Li Nengkai. Kadayat stated that the arrested individuals are now facing charges related to organized crime and the smuggling of illegal gold. The arrests were executed at multiple locations throughout Kathmandu, as part of a coordinated effort by the CIB.

This recent development brings the total number of arrests in connection with the ongoing gold smuggling scandal to 21, with nine of the suspects being Chinese nationals. The meticulous investigation has exposed the depth of this transnational operation, with authorities determined to uncover all aspects of the illicit trade.

The gold, evading customs duties and taxation, weighed a significant 60.716 kilograms upon its entry into Nepal through the Tribhuvan International Airport. The accurate measurement of the gold’s weight was carried out by the Mind Division of the Nepal Rastra Bank on a subsequent Tuesday. The intricate concealment method involved hiding the valuable metal within the brake shoes of a motorcycle.

Earlier records indicated that the total weight of the seized goods, including the illicit gold, amounted to 155.468 kilograms. However, upon careful separation of the gold from the brake shoes and packaging cartons, the exact weight was confirmed at 60.789 kilograms on a following Monday. The Revenue Investigation Department (RID) played a crucial role in the detection and seizure of the smuggled gold from within the premises of the Tribhuvan International Airport.

The recent arrests and subsequent investigations underscore the determination of law enforcement agencies to dismantle such organized criminal networks and curtail the unlawful flow of precious metals across international borders. As the case continues to unfold, authorities are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that those involved in the illicit trade are held accountable for their actions.