KATHMANDU: The District Police Office in Lalitpur has apprehended five individuals suspected of engaging in illegal gold trading. The arrests were made following a raid on an under-construction house in Mahalaxmisthan on July 4, where suspicious activities were observed.
During the raid, law enforcement authorities discovered and seized significant evidence, including a gold smelting machine, a digital device, and cash totaling Rs 5,400,000. Among those arrested are three Indian nationals and two Nepali individuals.
According to a statement from the police, the third floor of the raided house was rented by Yuvraj Vibhute, a 28-year-old from Maharashtra, India. The individuals taken into custody include Yuvraj Vibhute, aged 28, Vikram Yalvar, aged 20, and Abhishesh Vibhute, aged 18, all from India. Additionally, Siddhant Chaulagain from Bhaktapur and Yaswant Sunar from Lalitpur were also detained.
In addition to the seized items, police recovered checkbooks and bank deposit slips from the scene. The presence of a gold smelting machine suggests that the group may have been involved in organized illegal gold trading activities. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather more information about the extent and nature of their operations.
