KATHMANDU: The government is set to seize all properties belonging to Devendra Bikram Chapali, a notorious drug smuggler who has been involved in the illicit trade for the past 45 years.
The special court has issued an order to confiscate all assets owned by Chapali following his recent conviction in a drug smuggling case.
Earlier, Chapali had been accused of smuggling marijuana to various countries by concealing it in blankets. Alongside Chapali, his partners, including Govinda Kumar Chantyal, Manjeet Garti Magar, Nagendra Thapa Magar, Janba Bhote, and Indra Bahadur Thing, will also face legal actions. These individuals had previously been released after completing jail terms following their arrests in 2069 BS.
Devendra, originally from Baglung, has a long history of involvement in drug smuggling since 2032 BS. He has been arrested three times and convicted in 2038, 2042, and 2069 BS. In the most recent case in 2069, Chapali was caught smuggling drugs from Nepal through India to Canada. With billions of rupees amassed, he owns a bungalow in Sitapaila and several parcels of land.
An investigation by the Money Laundering Department revealed that Chapali holds bank accounts in 13 banks, including the Agricultural Development Bank, along with accounts in Japan and Hong Kong.
Chapali, born into a poor family in a remote village in Baglung, took a dark turn towards drug smuggling in his later years.
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