Three persons, Gopal Bahadur Shahi, Dil Bandhu Thapa and Santosh Kafle, were arrested with 33.5 kg of gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on January 5 while it was being smuggled from Dubai.

At a press conference organized by the Bureau here Sunday, Bureau Chief and Deputy Inspector General of Police Nawaraj Silwal shared that 18 other alleged ones, including five key persons based in Dubai, involving in the case were still absconding.

Those arrested ones were lodged the case under the Prevention of Organized Crime Act 2069 at the Kathmandu District Court for further action, according to Deputy Inspector General of Police Silwal.

The key alleged person has been identified as Hari Sharan Khadka who is learnt to have owned the seized 33.5 kg precious jewel, said CIB.

The other alleged ones based in Dubai were Guptalal Bhusal, Dhruba, Arjun Prasad Pokharel and Raju Prasad Panta.

Silwal further informed that preparation was on to issue red corner notice and coordination underway with Dubai Police.

Although Gopal Sahi originally from Surkhet landed in Kathmandu on January 4, the luggage containing gold arrived the next day.

Dil Bandhu Thapa, a permanent resident of Morang and Santosh Kafle from Janakpur Sub-Metrpolis were arrested when they had reached the customs office to take the luggage the day it arrived.

Others arrested by the police are Ramhari Karki from Kavrepalanchowk, Customs Officer at TIA, Narayan Yadav, technician to monitor luggage through the X-ray machine, Raj Kumar Dhakal, radio operator Shyam Krishna Chyamu and Senior Superintendent of Police, at TIA, Shyam Bahadur Khatri.

The Bureau also filed the case against Rojesh Shakya, Sunil Shrestha and Sapan Shrestha originally from Dharan and currently running Baibhav Laxmi Gold and Silver Palace in Kathmandu and Manoj Shrestha from Dhankuta municipality. RSS