Smuggling attempt through Korala checkpoint showing fake letter

By Hari Krishna Sharma, Muktinath(Mustang), May 19: Officers of the customs office have taken control of the container driver and helper who were illegally trying to take two containers carrying one hundred thousand and eighteen illegal vapes by showing the fake covenant through the Korala checkpoint connecting Nepal and China around 11 PM on May 15, 2026. 

A team led by the Chief of the Customs Office, Bidur Chudal, arrested the container (Na 6 Kha 4743) driver, Santosh Lama of Dhading, and another container (Na 5 Kha 7921) driver, Funju Dorjee Tamang of Nuwakot, and the helper of the container, Pasang Sherpa, from the Ekklebhatti, Lomanthang Rural Municipality-2, with a large amount of electric vape along with 5,037 pairs of expensive shoes, socks, and clothes. 

They were trying to take the container by driving through the Customs Office ceasing Tiji festival, the main festival of locals of Upper Mustang, as an opportunity to go unnoticed. 

Chief Chudal said that they have arrested two other suspects, Rabindra Darnal, passenger of the Scorpio van, and its driver Dipesh Gada, involved in the illegal transportation of the vape from Lete, Thasang Rural municipality of Upper Mustang. 

The investigation on the accused is underway by taking remand from the District Court for 10 days.

The Korala checkpoint, which was inaugurated in the year 2023 November 13, has recorded the highest number of illegal transportation of electric vapes. 

Chief of the Customs Office Chudal said, "A smuggling attempt has been made by showing the fake covenant. Other details will be ascertained as the investigation  moves forward." 

The suspicion has arisen as the container was moving in front of the customs office and Area Police Office and was able to reach Lomanthang. 

According to him, it looks like the smuggling was set up.  Because the security agencies could not distinguish between fake and original declarations, officers being absent at the customs office reached the ears of smugglers and they seized the celebration of the Tiji festival as an opportunity.

We are yet to ascertain the names of the owners of the vapes from the five arrested individuals.