Kathmandu: In a surprising turn of events at the airport customs office, suspicions have arisen surrounding a faulty gold X-ray machine that has been ineffective for years. The machine, believed to be damaged beyond repair, was allegedly kept merely as a façade to deter potential smugglers. Instead of detecting gold, it seems that only brake shoes and door cutting machines were visible on the faulty device. This revelation came to light when the customs department conducted an investigation into the imports linked to Dilip Bhujel's company.
Records from the customs department have revealed a startling pattern of imports associated with Dilip Bhujel's company. A total of 28 shipments have been attributed to his company, named "Ready Trade." Surprisingly, the goods imported appear unrelated to the registered trade, with 15 shipments of brake pads, 12 shipments of saver machines, and one shipment of mechanical motors being listed in the records. Curiously, the Revenue Investigation Department has raised concerns that gold may have been surreptitiously imported during these transactions.
Notably, a significant development in the case was discovered on May 17, 2023. It was found that goods were imported for the first time from China's Dongun Sutu Transport Company Limited to Nepal, coincidentally around the time when the X-ray machine's damage was noticed. During this period, a shipment of shaving machines, or shavers, were reportedly brought into the country. The customs declaration for this particular shipment indicated that 200 beard cutting machines, weighing a total of 66 kg, were valued at 400 US dollars. Both brake pads and beard shavers were imported from China, adding to the intrigue of the situation.
Another potentially related incident occurred on May 26, 2023, when mechanical motors were imported from Taiwan's Talmud Company Limited. The declared customs value for this shipment was 480 US dollars, and the total weight of the goods was 52 kg.
Officials from the Revenue Investigation Department are now intensifying their efforts to probe the possibility of gold smuggling during the time the X-ray machine was inoperable. They suspect that the machine's malfunction may have been exploited by smugglers to clandestinely transport gold into the country.
This unfolding investigation raises concerns about the effectiveness of customs procedures and the need for vigilant oversight. Authorities are determined to get to the bottom of this puzzling situation and ensure that such smuggling attempts are thwarted in the future. With the Revenue Investigation Department actively pursuing leads, the truth behind the damaged X-ray machine and the alleged gold smuggling operation may soon come to light.

Chinese National Arrested While Attempting to Flee

In connection with the smuggling of nearly 100 kg of gold, a Chinese national identified as Jeyung Lyn was apprehended at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) while trying to board a Tibetan Airlines flight to China. The arrest of Lyn brings the total number of arrestees in this case to seven.

Department of Revenue Investigation Takes Swift Action

The Department of Revenue Investigation acted swiftly in response to the recent gold smuggling incident at TIA. Approximately one quintal of gold was seized from the vicinity of TIA customs office, leading to the arrests of six individuals, including the Chinese national.

Investigation Committee Formed to Uncover the Security Breach

In light of the illegal entry of a significant amount of gold without proper inspection, a six-member probe committee has been established by the Department of Customs. The committee, led by Director Man Bahadur Poudel, aims to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unchecked entry of the gold and present its findings within five days.

Director General Acknowledges Possibility of Technical Errors

Director General of the Department of Customs, Shova Kanta Poudel, acknowledges that such incidents may occur due to occasional technical errors, despite the necessary checks carried out by department staff. The probe committee's investigation aims to identify and address any lapses in security measures.

Seized Gold Handed Over to Nepal Rastra Bank

For safekeeping and further examination, the confiscated gold, weighing approximately 100 kilograms, has been handed over to Nepal Rastra Bank through the Department of Customs. This action ensures the proper handling and accountability of the seized valuables.

Transparent Investigation to Uphold Customs Integrity

The formation of the probe committee demonstrates the government's commitment to transparency and accountability within the customs and revenue departments. The investigation aims to prevent similar security breaches in the future and uphold the integrity of the country's customs procedures.