Owner of smuggled foreign currency still at large

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 18: The truck driver arrested from Tokha, Kathmandu, with a massive amount of foreign currency has been remanded to judicial custody, while the alleged owner of the unsourced money remains absconding.

On March 18, the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office apprehended Kusang Lama of Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok, from the roadside in Tokha-2, Jhor, Kathmandu, in possession of Euro 1,375,150 and USD 320,850 with unsourced foreign currency.

The Department of Revenue Investigation has filed formal charges against Lama and Narayan Paudel—identified by Lama as the purported owner of the cash—under sections (3, 4, 5, and 9) of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1962. Paudel, a resident of the same area, remains at large, said police.

On Wednesday, the District Court bench of Judge Thakur Prasad Kharel ordered the imprisonment of Lama for further investigation.

According to the Department, the seized currency equates to approximately Rs. 253.4 billion, based on the exchange rates published by Nepal Rastra Bank on the day of the arrest.

Lama, who was operating container truck (registration number Na 

7 Kha 1652), had concealed the currency in a false bottom built into the cabin above the driver’s seat. Authorities recovered the money based on a special tip-off.

The department has also sought restitution equal to the total amount seized, in addition to fines under Clause 17(1) and supplementary 

penalties under Clause 17(9) of the same Act.

Further complicating Lama’s legal woes, he had previously been convicted in a gold smuggling case by the Kathmandu District Court on July 10, 2017. Given that this new offence was committed within five years of completing his sentence, prosecutors have demanded additional penalties under Section 44(2) of the National Penal Code, 2017.

The authorities have also requested the forfeiture of the recovered foreign currency and the vehicle used in the alleged smuggling operation.

As Paudel remains at large, the prosecution has requested the court to issue a warrant in his name and proceed with legal actions in absentia.