KATHMANDU: In a covert operation, authorities at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) successfully intercepted the illegal smuggling of 14 kg of gold, leading to the arrest of two individuals, Chandra Ghale and Min Bahadur Ghale from Gorkha.

Acting on a tip-off, Customs Office officials were on high alert when Chandra Ghale arrived at TIA. The officials discreetly monitored Ghale’s movements after his plane landed. Upon undergoing security clearance and inspection, the officials uncovered the gold, cleverly shaped like biscuits, concealed on both sides of his chest and carefully wrapped in cloth and shoes.

Chandra Ghale, who arrived in Kathmandu on a Fly Dubai flight (FZ 573) on Thursday night, was apprehended at 11:40 PM. Min Bahadur Ghale, identified as the intended recipient of the smuggled gold in Nepal, was also taken into custody.

This successful operation follows recent efforts by the Kathmandu Valley Crime Division, which seized approximately seven to eight kgs of illegal gold from a jewelry shop at New Road, Kathmandu. Additionally, on July 19, authorities at TIA confiscated a significant amount of 60 kgs of illegally smuggled gold. Earlier, a separate incident on record involved the smuggling of nine kgs of gold using electronic cigarettes (Vapes).