Kathmandu : The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has officially begun investigations into the 100 kg gold smuggling scam from Monday designating Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjay Singh Thapa as the investigation officer.

It may be noted that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on last Thursday had directed the Revenue Investigation Department (RID) to give responsibility to the CIB for the investigation.

The CIB thus had been entrusted with the responsibility to further investigate the smuggling case on last Sunday.

All the 17 individuals who were in the custody of security force for their alleged involvement in the case were shifted to the CIB's custody on last Sunday itself.

Nepal Police's Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kuber Kadayat shared that the CIB took forward the investigation process by designating SP Thapa.

The Thapa-led team has begun investigations by studying the files and adjusting the deadline of the cases reaching the High Court from the district court, said DIG Kadayat.

The CIB would additionally investigate the financial issues as well as organized and trans-national crimes, added DIG Kadayat.

An estimated 100 kg of gold smuggled in brake-shoe was seized in front of the Tribhuvan International Airport's Customs Office on July 19. The smuggled gold is currently at the Nepal Rastra Bank to ascertain its quantity.