Seized Gold Found to be 99.9% Pure

The gold seized from smugglers arriving from Hong Kong, concealed within the brake shoe of a motorcycle, has been confirmed to have a purity level of 99.9%.

The confiscated gold, currently in the custody of the Department of Mint at Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), underwent rigorous testing to determine its purity. According to Dr. Dilliram Pokharel, Assistant Spokesperson of the NRB, the assessment revealed a purity of 99.9%, signifying the gold’s complete purity.

Dr. Pokharel explained, “A purity of 99.9% indicates that the gold is entirely pure.” The Department of Mint has since conveyed the examination report regarding the gold’s purity to relevant bodies, including the NRB and the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI).

Nawaraj Dhungana, Director-General of the DRI, confirmed the information regarding the gold’s purity, stating that the report indicated it adhered to the 24-carat standard.

The seized gold, initially found concealed within brake shoes, was subsequently melted and transformed into gold biscuits on August 15, weighing a total of 60.716 kilograms. Prior to this, the gold extracted from the brake shoe weighed 60.789 kilograms on August 14. The melting process resulted in a weight reduction of 73 grams.

The DRI had seized a total of 155 kilograms of brake shoes containing the gold on July 19, from in front of the Customs Office in Sinamangal.

Currently, the Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) is conducting an investigation into the gold smuggling case.