Kathmandu, 20 July: A representative and a deputy sub-inspector have been detained in connection with the seizure of 100 kilograms of gold by the Bhansar Office at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Santosh Chand is the arrested Bhansar official, claims a Revenue Investigation Department officer. He was found in possession of gold near the Bhansar pass, according to the department.

The imprisoned deputy sub-inspector’s name has not yet been made public.

An estimated 100 kilograms of gold were reportedly found in a cab parked close to the Bhansar pass of Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday evening during a search operation conducted there. Verification of the gold’s quantity is ongoing.

Four people have reportedly been brought under control in connection with the smuggling of gold: Dilip Bhujel (21), a resident of Melung Gaunpalika-3 in Dolakha; Ramkumar Bhujel (53); Harkaraj Rai (49); Budhaneelkanth, Bhojpur Arun Gaunpalika-4; and Indian citizen Thaptain Chiringlayatala (53), a resident of Panipokhari, Kathmandu.

The Revenue Investigation Department recorded six arrests up until the morning of the wedding. One of them is an agent.

Since becoming prime minister, Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda has been charged with corruption, commission-taking, and organising fraud and embezzlement networks. He was implicated in the Lalita Niwas land controversy and the fictitious Bhutanese refugee case, and as a result of the crackdown and inquiry, the largest gold smuggling network in the previous five years was destroyed.

More than 100 kilograms of gold were seized from the Tribhuvan International Airport on just one day, Wednesday. The accused in this case has been the target of legal action.

Prime Minister Prachanda named Navaraj Dhungana, his private secretary and Joint-secretary, as the director general of the Revenue Department before two weeks in order to curb smuggling from the airport. Dhungana’s direction of the Revenue Department led to the effective seizure of the gold smuggling network and 100 kilograms of gold.