CIB arrests 3 women-aides of Chinese smugglers

KATHMANDU, Aug 14: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Police is currently investigating about around a quintal of gold that was seized from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Customs Office. The gold brought to Kathmandu by 'Ready Trade Pvt Ltd' from Hong Kong on a Cathay Pacific flight was seized by the Department of Revenue Investigation on the 19th of July.

The CIB’s preliminary investigation concluded that Chinese nationals are involved in the case of gold smuggling. CIB has arrested 3 women aides of Chinese nationals said to be involved in the smuggling. Among the 3 women arrested on Friday, one is Chinese and two are Nepalese.

An officer involved in the investigation informed Ratopati that they were arrested after they were found to have helped Chinese nationals that were involved in the smuggling. A team led by the Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjay Singh Thapa is interrogating them.

The officials of CIB have kept their identities secret claiming that they should take their help in order to reach the Chinese who were involved in the smuggling. Police spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Kuber Kadayat said that it is normal to call and interrogate those seen on the link during the investigation.

Talking to Ratopati, he said, "The work of bringing in and interrogating the suspects will continue."

17 people, including 53-year-old Indian citizen of Tibetan origin Thapten Tshiring, Chinese citizen Zeqiang Lin, and a Belgian citizen of Tibetan origin Dawa Tshiring, have been detained on charges of gold smuggling. Police has been searching for two other Chinese people staying on rent with Zeqiang Lin in Lazimpat.