Amala Rokka of Rolpa, one of the accused in the 61kg gold smuggling case, has been arrested.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police apprehended Rokka, wife of Belgian national of Tibetan origin Dawa Tsering, from Tokha, Kathmandu. According to Superintendent of Police Hobindra Bogati, she will be produced before the court on Sunday.

Rokka had been on the run since the investigation into the smuggling began. Interpol had issued a diffusion notice against her at Nepal Police’s request.

The District Government Attorney’s Office had filed a case at the Kathmandu District Court, naming Tsering and others as defendants. The case is currently sub judice.

Rokka is the proprietor of Hotel Vienna in Thamel, Kathmandu. She is also a former vice-chair of the Rolpa-Kathmandu Contact Forum, affiliated to the CPN (Maoist Centre).

A team from the Department of Revenue Investigation on July 18, 2023, 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 gold, packed in eight sealed cartons, was then sent to the Mint Division of the central bank for weighing. The gross weight of the consignment seized was determined to be 155kg. The gold weighed 60.789kg when it was measured after being melted.