KATHMANDU- Three Chinese nationals arrested with nearly 22 kilograms of gold in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, had rented an entire house to process the precious metal into gold bars, police said.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, the suspects had been paying Rs 330,000 per month to rent a house in Bhangal, Budhanilkantha Municipality-2. They had reportedly paid Rs 1.32 million in advance for four months.
Police arrested Han Fei, Zhou Longqing and Su Qian from the rented house on Thursday and seized 21.75 kilograms of gold worth approximately Rs 546 million.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the operation was being directed by Zhen Jia, who resides in Guangzhou, China. He allegedly instructed the suspects on where and to whom the gold should be delivered in Nepal.
Investigators found that the gold had been brought into Nepal in a semi-solid form and processed at the rented house using machinery and chemicals before being converted into gold bars.
Police are investigating the case to determine further details of the operation and the possible involvement of others.