Man caught with Rs 250 million in foreign currency was headed to Kerung: Police

KATHMANDU: Police have arrested an individual with a large amount of US dollars and euros in Kathmandu.

Kusang Lama (43) from Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-1 in Sindhupalchok was arrested from Jhor in Tokha Municipality-1 on Monday night based on a tip-off. According to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Lama was found with foreign currency equivalent to Rs 250.1 million concealed in a false compartment of his truck.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramesh Basnet, chief of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, told Himal Press that Lama was en route to Kerung, China.

Nepali cargo trucks are allowed until Kerung – the biggest market near the Nepal-China border in Rasuwagadhi.

“During preliminary interrogation, Lama claimed that he is merely a porter. However, he has not disclosed who he was working for. Further investigation into the case is ongoing,” SSP Basnet added.

Lama has a history of involvement in illegal activities. He was previously arrested in a gold smuggling case and served a five-year jail term for smuggling seven kilograms of gold.

Police have handed over Lama to the Revenue Investigation Department for further investigation.