Nepal: Two more Chinese nationals arrested in gold smuggling case

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Nepal's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Friday arrested two more Chinese nationals for alleged involvement in the 60 KG gold smuggling case.

"We have apprehended two more Chinese nationals in connection with the gold smuggling case," Kuber Kadayat, the spokesperson for the CIB, told ANI over the phone.

Identities of the arrested Chinese are yet to be disclosed. The arrested Chinese nationals will be booked for smuggling gold and organised crime, the official confirmed.

With this arrest, the number of people arrested in the gold smuggling case has reached 23.

Earlier, after a 19-day investigation, the DRI entrusted the responsibility of further investigation in the gold smuggling case to the CIB.

On July 18, the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) seized the smuggled gold at Sinamangal, Kathmandu immediately after it passed customs check at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) undetected.

The gold, packed in eight sealed cartons, was then sent to the Mint Division of the central bank for weighing. The gross weight of the consignment seized was determined to be 155kg.

The Mint Division of the Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday melted the seized gold to determine its quality and actual weight. The gold was measured on Monday after removing the brake shoes in which it was concealed and the net weight of the seized yellow metal came to 60.789 kgs.

The Department of Revenue Investigation on July 18 managed to confiscate the gold concealed in motorcycle/scooter brake shoes from the gate of Customs of Tribhuvan International Airport as it was being taken out in a taxi.

The gross weight of the smuggled gold was ascertained to be 155 kilograms, which also included electric shavers, according to officials at the mint division of the Nepal Rastra Bank, which was entrusted with examining the metal.

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