KATHMANDU: Nepal has deported as many as 1,676 foreign nationals from 2018 to 2020.

In 2020 alone, 327 foreign nationals were deported, including 81 for overstaying visas, 164 for violating visas, and 82 for illegal activities.

Similarly, police have arrested 188 foreign nationals involved in illegal activities including drug trafficking, human trafficking, banking malpractice, and propaganda in the last three years.

Taking advantage of the ease of arrival and entry permit, Nepal has become a target of international criminals.

It is seen that foreigners have targeted Nepal in activities such as electronic crime, ATM hacking, call bypass, human trafficking, theft, and robbery affecting the national interest and security of Nepal.

In the 58th report of the Office of the Auditor-General, it is mentioned that in order to reduce the crimes committed by foreigners, a software called Nepali Port has been launched on 27 January 2020.

Due to Nepal’s weak security system and laws, even international drug traffickers have used Nepal as a ‘transit’.

The police investigation has shown that even gold smugglers use Nepal’s airports and transit routes to transport gold from abroad to India via Nepal.

The report also suggests that the software should be used to the fullest by providing necessary information on inter-agency and monitoring information including the duration of stay of tourists, and visa details, and internal control system to monitor tourists whose visa has expired.