KATHMANDU: The Rs 250 million worth of US dollars and euros seized from a truck in Jhor, Kathmandu, on March 18 has been traced back to Narayan Poudel from Sindhupalchok.
According to an investigation by the Department of Revenue Investigation, Poudel was found to be the owner of the seized amount. At the time of the seizure, the truck driver, Kusang Lama, also from Sindhupalchok, was arrested.
The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office had earlier detained 41-year-old Lama along with the foreign currency, equivalent to Rs 250 million.
“The investigation has confirmed that the money belongs to Narayan Poudel from Sindhupalchok,” an official from the department told Khabarhub. “An arrest warrant was issued for him four days ago.”
According to the official, Poudel is the sole owner of the money. “Our investigation shows that Kusang was merely the carrier, while Poudel owned the funds. This is why only Poudel has been issued an arrest warrant.”
During initial interrogations, Kusang had claimed that two unidentified individuals had asked him to transport the foreign currency from Rasuwagadhi to Kerung.
“He told us that two unknown persons handed him the money,” the official added. “So far, the investigation suggests Kusang was only a carrier, and authorities are still looking into the identities of those who provided the funds.”
Further investigations also revealed that Kusang had previously been arrested in Kalanki with 7 kg of gold and had served five years in prison before being released in 2021.
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