Baker had been tracked on April 14, 2015 in Thailand but has not been arrested yet as the Nepal government is taking time to send necessary documents to the concerned authorities in Thailand.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, they have consulted with the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the issue but have yet to start formal bureaucratic procedures for Baker's extradition.
Operation- Paws II (Protection of Asian Wildlife Species) across 17 countries in South Asia and South East Asian countries between April and May 2015 targeted criminal networks involved in wildlife crime.
"We have requested concerned authorities in Nepal to expedite the process to bring him to Nepal," said DIG Hemanta Malla, director of Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).
Baker was also seen in Thimpu of Bhutan on March 26, 2015 and the National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol Bhutan had communicated to NCB Interpol Nepal about the fugitive but could not intervene in lack of proper documents for extradition.
"Baker is now under NCB Interpol Thailand's supervision and will be brought to Nepal as soon as the government forwards necessary documents," said DSP Sabin Pradhan of CIB.
On May 17 and 19 of 2008, Metropolitan Police Crime Division, Hanumandhoka under the leadership of then SSP Devendra Subedi, had confiscated endangered wildlife body parts, idols, woodcraft from Baker's rented apartments of Baker in Baluwatar and Naxal.
Baker, a US citizen, was found to be staying continuously in Nepal for more than 24 years and known to be a contributor to National Geographic channel.
Nepal Police had considered the seizure of huge collection of archeologically important materials, and wildlife body parts a big haul in the history of crime investigation.
The Department of Archaeology and District Forest office, Kathmandu had discovered that some of those idols and statues were centuries old. Baker has been absconding since.
Baker has been identified as co-founder of Rare Journeys based in Thailand. The company was registered in Thailand under his name and hosted from Huston, USA.
According to the CITES Convention (Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna), to which Nepal is a signatory, illegal possession, purchase and sell of archeologically important materials is illegal.
The court had also issued an order to reopen the case against Baker. If proven guilty, Baker would be get a maximum of 15 years in jail as per article 26(1) of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 (1973). But in case of bureaucratic delay for his extradition, Baker would be sent to US for further action.
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"The arrest and extradition of Baker will definitely open up an avenue for international cooperation in relation to prosecution of high profile criminals and will set a new precedent in Nepal's commitment to delivery of justice," DIG Malla added.
