Kathmandu. Police have arrested a Chinese national and a Nepali woman with illegal cash, gold ornaments, electronic gadgets and a car from a rented room at Sanobhariang of Nagarjun municipality-2 in Kathmandu. The arrest is the latest in a reiteration of the Chinese national’s involvement in a network of transnational financial crimes and suspicious transactions in Nepal.
A team from the District Police Office, Kathmandu arrested 38-year-old Chinese national Xiao Gang and 22-year-old Nepali woman Rojina Sunar in a raid at 11.30 pm on Tuesday. They had been living in Sarita Maharjan’s rented flat at Sanowharyang.
The police have recovered Rs 69.80 lakh in cash, four iPhones, a MacBook and other mobile sets, two gold necklaces, two pairs of earrings, four bangles, three rings, a nose ring, a headpiece and a car of BYD brand from the flat.
According to the police, the investigation is aimed at identifying the source of the cash and other incriminating material. Both of them have been kept under the control of Swayambhu Police Division and interrogation is underway. Four other women living in the same flat have also been taken into custody for questioning, police sources said.
Digital forensic examination of the seized electronic equipment is underway. This is expected to reveal more evidence of their involvement in international networks. The police have deepened the investigation saying that the possibility of illegal transactions, money laundering and cybercrime could also be linked to such cases.
In the last three months alone, there have been several incidents of Chinese nationals being involved in illegal cash, gold, and electronic goods in Kathmandu. This shows that the network of international financial crimes is growing in Nepal and further coordination between the Department of Revenue Investigation, Anti-Money Laundering Unit and the police is needed to control it.
If found guilty, action will be taken against those arrested under anti-money laundering or other relevant laws, police said.
