KATHMANDU, Dec 19: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of Nepal Police on Friday arrested two Hong Kong-bound Nepali citizens on charge of trying to smuggle 3 kg of hashish (charas) capsules concealed with dried meat. The two were arrested from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
It was the first time in 18 months that the police seized hashish capsules from the TIA. The arrested have been identified as Abir Sherpaja Magar, 41, of Lekhphant VDC-8, of Parbat district and Narman Gurung, 65, of Ghandruk VDC-8, of Kaski district.
According to Inspector Ghanashyam Shrestha of NCB, the two were arrested upon suspicion during screening of their baggage before boarding flight of Cathay Dragon at around 17:40.
“While searching a green suitcase possessed by Magar, the security officials found two bags filled with 308 concealed hashish capsules, mixed with dried meat of buffalo and goat,” Inspector Shrestha said.
During preliminary investigation, police found out that the two were supposed to swallow those capsules and smuggle to Hong Kong as per the instructions from their agents based in Hong Kong. They were assured of Rs 600,000 for the job.
But as they were not experienced and feared swallowing those hashish capsules, they decided to mix them with the dried meat having similar color to avoid detection during screening, according to the police.
As per the plan, they purchased the illegal drugs in Kathmandu for Rs 50,000 and bought the same amount of dried meat to hide the contraband. The investigation has also showed that the two were identity card holders of Hong Kong and were not professional peddlers but frequently visited Nepal.
On Sunday, the two were remanded to police custody for further investigation. If proved guilty, the two will be penalized with up to 10 years of imprisonment.
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