Two More Chinese Nationals Apprehended in Ongoing Gold Smuggling Investigation

Law enforcement officials have apprehended two additional Chinese nationals as part of an ongoing investigation into a high-profile gold smuggling case. The arrests were made by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police late last night in the capital city, Kathmandu.

DIG, Kuber Kadayat, confirmed the arrests and stated that the investigations into the alleged involvement of these Chinese nationals in the gold smuggling operation are currently underway. Those arrested are Yao Pucheng and Li Wen Sung.

This latest development follows the detention of four other Chinese nationals by the CIB on August 16. Authorities are preparing to file charges related to smuggling of illegal gold and organized crime against all individuals involved in the smuggling network, said DIG Kadayat.

With the latest arrests, the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the gold smuggling case has risen to 23. The Revenue Investigation Department (RID) had previously seized a substantial quantity of gold that had been illicitly transported from Hong Kong to Nepal on July 19. The precious metal was cleverly concealed within the brake shoe of a motorbike, raising concerns about the sophistication and audacity of the smuggling operation.

Authorities continue to work diligently to uncover the extent of the gold smuggling network and ensure that justice is served. The ongoing investigation has garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally, highlighting the importance of combating transnational organized crime and safeguarding the integrity of Nepal’s borders.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to release further details regarding the identities and roles of the arrested individuals, shedding light on the inner workings of the illicit gold trade that has gripped the nation in recent weeks.

On August 18, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) apprehended a total of four Chinese nationals as part of their ongoing efforts. Among those detained, a couple identified as Mi-Tian and Wen Yang were taken into custody on Wednesday. This couple had been operating a restaurant named ‘KTB’ situated in the bustling area of Thamel.

Further investigation into the matter has revealed that two other individuals, Ding Segfa and Li-Nengkai, were allegedly involved in the transportation of gold, specifically from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

The scope of the operation extends beyond these recent arrests. Notably, a group of 21 individuals has been taken into custody, including Thapten Tshiring, a 53-year-old Indian national of Tibetan origin, Jiquan Lin, a Chinese citizen, and Dawa Tshiring, a Belgian citizen also hailing from Tibet. All of them are facing charges related to gold smuggling.

With these latest detentions, the total count of arrests has now risen to 23 individuals, encompassing those apprehended in the most recent operation. As the investigation continues to unfold, authorities are diligently piecing together the intricate details of this smuggling network, shedding light on the complex web of individuals involved in these illicit activities.