KATHMANDU, May 10: The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested three individuals on charges of human trafficking.

The arrests were made after 10 Nepalis, who had attempted to travel to the USA via illegal routes, returned home from Kenya,  where they had been held hostage for nine months.

The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested 47-year-old Tashi Sherpa of Bhotekoshi, Ngimbuti Sherpa of Karnathali and 19-year-old Neema Sherpa of Jugal, Sindhupalchowk, after the victims filed complaints.  

According to SSP Sanuram Bhattarai, preliminary investigations showed that the gang had collected up to Rs 55 million from the victims with the promise of sending them to America. Instead, the victims were held hostages in Kenya.

After being released, the 10 victims returned to Nepal, having arranged their travel using money borrowed from friends and family.  

SSP Bhattarai stated that the suspects are believed to have taken 17 more Nepalis hostage in various countries with the intention of sending them to Canada and America.

The police said that the investigation is underway to determine the extent of the smuggling network. 

 
• human_trafficking
 
• Kenya
 
• USA