CIAA Files Corruption Charges Against Former Speaker Mahara and Customs Officials in Vape Gold Smuggling Case
Summary
The CIAA has filed a corruption case against former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara and customs officials for their involvement in a gold smuggling operation using vapes at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Key Points
- The CIAA filed a corruption case exceeding 77.8 million rupees against former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara and customs officials related to gold smuggling hidden inside electronic cigarettes.
- Chinese national Li Hang Song smuggled 730 vapes containing gold into Nepal, detected but not inspected properly by customs officers who intended to swap the goods later.
- The seized gold was kept in the Chief Customs Officer's office, with collusion suspected including destruction of evidence by returning the smuggler’s passport.
- Political involvement includes former Speaker Mahara and his son coordinating with customs officials and smugglers to release the gold and launder proceeds through various accounts and property purchases.
