Kathmandu: In connection with the smuggling of approximately 61 kg of gold into Nepal from Hong Kong, two Chinese nationals who were apprehended have been discovered in possession of Indian Aadhaar cards. The Aadhaar card is a unique 12-digit identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Indian government.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Kuber Kadayat, the spokesperson for the Nepal Police, revealed that two of the individuals detained for their involvement in the gold smuggling operation were carrying Indian Aadhaar cards. Additionally, three other Chinese nationals were found to possess citizenship cards issued by the District Administration Office in Kavrepalanchok, while another individual had a citizenship certificate from the District Administration Office in Kathmandu.

To date, a total of 23 individuals, including the Chinese nationals, have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the gold smuggling case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) is leading the investigation.

The incident involves the seizure of the smuggled gold concealed within brake shoes, which were intercepted by the Revenue Investigation Department on July 19. Subsequent to a two-week investigation, the case was handed over to the Nepal Police's Central Bureau of Investigation for further scrutiny.