Three Chinese nationals held with 21 kg 750 g of gold in Budhanilkantha; gold found smuggled in via air route

Police arrested three Chinese nationals with 21 kg 750 g 680 mg of gold from Mathillo Bhangal in Budhanilkantha Municipality-2, Kathmandu, on Thursday. The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office made the arrests public at a press conference on Friday.

According to police, the gold was not brought in all at once but smuggled into Nepal in small quantities via the air route. Police found that the Chinese nationals had made three to four trips to the airport after landing in Kathmandu.

Police had received a tip that there was 4 kg of gold, but a raid turned up more than 21 kg. It also emerged that the house used for processing the gold had been rented since last Saun (mid-July/mid-August), and its key had been handed over in China itself.

According to those familiar with the finances, the seized gold is worth around Rs 540 million. Police have continued further investigation into the case.