Police arrested two Chinese nationals from Tribhuvan International Airport in connection with the recent gold smuggling case.

The arrested duo were handed over to the police by the immigration department on Thursday night. The duo were allegedly trying to flee the country on a Himalayan Airlines flight.

Both the accused are among the prime suspects in Nepal’s biggest gold haul, according to the police.

Previously, one other Chinese national, who was travelling to Chhendu via the Kathmandu airport, was also taken into police custody in connection with the case.

So far, 20 individuals, including three Chinese, a Belgian and an Indian national, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the crime.

A team from the Department of Revenue Investigation on July 18 confiscated the gold that was concealed inside motorcycle brake shoes from Sinamangal. The consignment was being taken away in a taxi after getting customs clearances from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

The gross weight of the smuggled gold was ascertained to be 155 kilograms, which also included electric shavers, according to officials at the mint division of the Nepal Rastra Bank, which has been entrusted with examining the metal.

However, the actual quantity of the yellow metal remains to be ascertained by the DRI in what is one of the biggest gold seizures in the country.