KATHMANDU: The number of individuals arrested in connection with the approximately one-quintal gold smuggling case has now reached 10.
The latest arrest in the ongoing investigation is Krishna Kumar Shrestha, the owner of Trans Global Services.
He is accused of being involved in smuggling 100 kilos of gold from Hong Kong to Kathmandu. Shrestha was arrested on Thursday night in Koteshwar.
Prior to Shrestha’s arrest, two others were taken into custody – Pushkar Bhatta, the owner of Trans Global Services, and Rajan Shrestha, the owner of Alice Trans Group.
The Department of Revenue arrested them at different locations in Kathmandu.
Authorities are still trying to ascertain the origins and intended recipient of the confiscated gold.
The gold, which arrived in Kathmandu via a Cathay Pacific flight on Tuesday, was concealed in the name of Ready Trade Link Budhanilkantha.
Reports suggest that the gold arrived directly from Hong Kong, shipped as cargo. However, the identities of the sender and recipient have not been disclosed.
The Department of Revenue Investigation managed to seize about 100 kg of gold.
The gold was transported in a taxi after passing through customs at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Interestingly, it was found hidden inside the brake shoes of motorcycles and scooters.
Prior to these recent arrests, seven individuals, including a Chinese citizen, were apprehended in connection with the same case.
Six of them have been detained for 10 days, with the Patan High Court granting permission for further investigation.
The authorities are continuing their efforts to uncover the entire network involved in this gold smuggling operation. Further details and updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
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