The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has suggested prosecuting 26 individuals in the recent case of smuggling of over 60 kg of gold into Nepal from Hong Kong.

The CIB is preparing to submit the investigation report regarding the gold smuggling incident to the District Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The CIB, in a press meet on Wednesday, claimed that it has found through investigation that three quintals and 788 grams of gold equivalent to Rs 3,050,216,552 have been smuggled to Nepal using ‘brake shoes’ among other materials.

The bureau has suggested that the government attorney set a fine of the same amount against the 26 individuals.

So far 32 people have been arrested in connection with the case. 18 people are absconding and among them 14 are foreign nationals.

The CIB has suggested that the accused be prosecuted for offenses under several sections of seven Acts including Section 57 (1) (d) of 1 (b) of Customs Act 2007, Prevention of Organized Crime Act 2013; Section 95 of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act 2002, Section 43 of The National Penal (Code) Act, 2017; Nepal Citizenship Act 2006, Passport Act 2019 and Immigration Act 1992.