Himal Press 
ITAHARI: Police have confirmed that cannabis smugglers arrested in Dharan on Tuesday were using counterfeit government license plates in their jeeps. Investigation showed the smugglers were using fake government number plates to transport cannabis to avoid police inspection.
Police on Tuesday evening impounded two jeeps with government number plates carrying 700 kg of cannabis. The driver of one jeep was nabbed on the spot, while the other had managed to flee. The vehicles, with registration numbers Ba 1 Jha 5127 and Ba 1 Jha 4605, were found to be unregistered with the Department of Transport Management, police investigation showed.
The arrested individual was identified as Shyam Kumar Bishwakarma (36) from Sundar Haraicha Municipality of Morang. Police fired four rounds from an INSAS rifle to stop the vehicles.
DSP Ram Prasad Timalsina, the spokesperson for the District Police Office, Sunsari, said that the jeeps were neither government-registered nor legally licensed. “Investigations revealed counterfeit chassis and engine numbers,” he added.
Police suspect the smugglers were using stolen jeeps.
Sunsari Police Chief SP, Suman Kumar Timalsina, said that the arrested driver will be charged with forgery. Police are expanding investigations into the broader smuggling network.
“A smuggling network has been transporting large quantities of cannabis from the hilly districts of Dhankuta and Bhojpur in Koshi Province to India. The group has previously used ambulances and fuel tankers to smuggle cannabis but recently shifted to using vehicles with fake government license plates,” he added.
Police have confiscated 6,197 kg of cannabis in the current fiscal year.
