KATHMANDU: Alcohol and tobacco products brought to the Nepali market by evading tax are found rampant.

In course of market monitoring carried out by the Department of Inland Revenue and its subordinate offices in the last 15 days, 17 shops were found involved in such a wrongdoing.

The monitoring was carried out from January 15-29. Seventeen shops were found selling alcohol and tobacco-related goods in six different places including the Kathmandu Valley.

According to the Department, goods worth around Rs 1.8 million rupees without having excise duty sticker were seized.

Further investigations were underway by arresting those involved in such activities.

Information Officer at the Department, Raju Prasad Pyakurel, said a monitoring team from the Inland Revenue Office, Bhadrapur, seized goods brought by evading tax from Rudra Cold Centre, Jharana Cold Stores, Himali Cold Centre, Puri Grocery and Stavya Stores.

Likewise, a team from Taxpayers Service Office, Phidim, in course of monitoring, impounded illegally brought alcohol from Dipa and Pawan Stores.

The Inland Revenue Office, Damak, also seized illegal liquor of the Indian brand from Jawani Cold Stores and Apkeshya Stores.

Similarly Captain Bastola Wine Shop, Panchakoshi Wine House and Sanis Wine House were also found involved in such illegal activities, according to the Department.