Gold smuggling: 'CIB to initiate investigation once files received from department'

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police is set to further investigate into the smuggling of 100-kg gold.

CIB will carry out investigation in to the case in the context of organized and inter-country crime following the directive of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Basanta Bahadur Kunwar informed the CIB will initiate its probe into the case after necessary files were received from the investigation department.

It may be noted that the department on July 19 had confiscated around 100-kg gold in front of the Customs Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

In the case, the department itself was undertaking investigation with support from a Superintendent of Police (SP).

The department has so far arrested 18 convicts in the gold smuggling case and put forward necessary investigation.

Department's director-general Nawaraj Dhungana said a form of investigation was done and will advance further probe after consulting with the office of the Attorney General.

In a discussion with the Home Minister along with security agencies' chiefs and concerned authorities on Thursday evening, PM Dahal directed them to get further investigation done in to the case by CIB.

It was pointed out in the meeting that a phase of investigation was brought to a logical end through the department and further investigation into the financial crime aspects would be done by CIB.

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