Officials Who Exposed Vape Gold Smuggling Scandal Now Face Corruption Charges
Summary
Nepalese officials who uncovered a gold smuggling operation at Tribhuvan International Airport by hiding gold inside vapes are now facing corruption charges after exposing the scandal.
Key Points
- Chinese national Li Han Song smuggled 9 kg of gold concealed inside 730 vapes at Tribhuvan International Airport in 2023.
- Customs officials including Arun Pokharel reported suspicions and initiated investigations that led to arrests related to the gold smuggling.
- The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed corruption charges against the very officials who investigated and exposed the smuggling case.
- Investigation revealed involvement of customs staff and external agents in smuggling and replacing vapes containing gold, with significant losses estimated at around 60 million rupees worth of gold.
