The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on Wednesday arrested seven persons along with 15 kg of contraband gold from Kathmandu and Dhanusha. 

The arrestees were identified as Pemba Sherpa and Saroj Thapa of Kathmandu; Dipendra Thapa, Rajendra Khatri and Rabin Khatri of  Bhaktapur; Bishnu Gautam of Kavre; and Deepak Kumar Sah of Dhanusha.

Organising a press conference in the Capital on Thursday, police said 14 kg gold was seized from Tokha, Kathmandu, and the remaining 1 kg  from Janakpur. Dhanusha.

The seized gold is said to be part of the 22 kg haul that was reportedly smuggled via China from Rasuwa border. 

The whereabouts of the remaining 7kg gold are being investigated.

Police suspect that the arrested duo, Saroj Thapa and Dipendra Thapa, had bought 8kg gold before selling 2kg of it in Kathmandu and smuggling the rest to India.

Deputy Inspector General Pushkar Karki, chief of CIB, said they were also closing in on the main owner of the gold in China. 

Besides the gold, police also confiscated a vehicle (10 Cha 4113), a scooter, USD 600 and 1,199 Yuan from the suspects.

Earlier on January 5, police had seized 33 kg of contraband gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).