United Arab Emirates police have arrested Hari Sharan Khadka, said to be the supplier of illegal gold in the 33-kg gold smuggling case, from Dubai.

The arrest was made after Interpol issued a Red Notice against 12 individuals including Khadka for their alleged involvement in the smuggling upon the request of Nepal Police. Khadka is one of the suspects believed to be running a gold smuggling racket from Dubai. The alleged mastermind in the smuggling case, Chudamani Upreti aka Gore was arrested from Kathmandu on May 22, 2018.

Khadka, a native of Kavre district, had gone to UAE for employment but later turned to smuggling. The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police had concluded Khadka was one of the five Nepalis supplying gold to Upreti, who in collusion with senior officers smuggled the gold into the country.

Police had filed a case against 12 individuals while put 19 others in their most-wanted list.

Nepal Police Spokesperson Uttam Subedi said they have received informal information about the arrest and it remains to be confirmed formally.

The 33kg gold smuggled through the Tribhuvan International Airport had mysteriously disappeared from Kathmandu before reaching its intended destination.

The smuggling case drew much public attention following the murder of Sanam Shakya, an alleged carrier. Shakya was tortured to death in Urlabari on March 2, 2018, and his body was recovered from a vehicle (Ba 12 Cha 5963) in Biratnagar the following day. Police investigation concluded that Shakya died of electric shock.

The District Attorney’s Office, Morang, has filed a charge sheet at the Morang District Court against 75 suspects.