KATHMANDU, July 19: The police have arrested three individuals for attempting to smuggle gold through the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The arrests were made in the parking lot of the airport, where the individuals were found in possession of 52 grams of gold.

On Thursday, the police recovered two gold bangles, one ring, and one gold hair accessory from the suspects. The arrested individuals are identified as 36-year-old Shamser BK from Baglung Municipality-4 in Baglung, 36-year-old Num Bahadur Thapa Magar from Satyawati Rural Municipality-2 in Gulmi, and 43-year-old Sahev Dewan from Jeetpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan City-24 in Bara.

Shamsher and Num Bahadur, who arrived in Nepal via Himalayan Airlines, were each paid Rs 9,000 to smuggle gold through customs. Sahev was caught collecting the gold from them in the international arrivals parking area of the airport. The police apprehended all three individuals during the exchange.

The suspects have been handed over to the Tribhuvan Airport Customs Office for further investigation.