In Nepal former Speaker and Maoist Centre leader has been arrested on charges of gold smuggling. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Mahara with authorities seeking a recovery of 8 crore 55 lakh 28 thousand 374 rupees from him. He was apprehended on charges of taking criminal advantage and organised crime as per the Customs Act, 2008.
Former Finance Minister Mahara was convicted of taking benefits by selling gold that was seized from Chinese national Li Hansong at Tribhuvan International Airport on 25 December, 2022. The Chinese national was arrested at the airport while illegally importing 73-packets of 730 electric vapes in two suitcases. The gold packed in electronic cigarettes were worth Rs 85.52 million stored in the warehouse of the Government of Nepal, which was sold by forming a criminal group to gain organized profits.
The Kathmandu District Court registered the case on Monday, levelling three separate charges-organised crime, violation of the Customs Act, and gold smuggling. Prosecutors have demanded the highest possible prison sentence under the organised crime law.
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