KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has apprehended three individuals on suspicion of human trafficking following a case where 10 Nepali citizens, attempting to reach the USA via illicit means, were rescued after being held captive in Kenya for nine months.
The arrested individuals include Tashi Sherpa (47) from Bhotekoshi, Ngimbuti Sherpa from Karnathali, and Neema Sherpa (19) from Jugal, Sindhupalchowk, following complaints filed by the victims.
Initial inquiries by SSP Sanuram Bhattarai suggest that the group allegedly extorted up to Rs 55 million from the victims under the pretense of facilitating their journey to America. However, the victims were instead subjected to captivity in Kenya.
Upon their return to Nepal, the 10 victims managed their repatriation with funds borrowed from friends and relatives. SSP Bhattarai further disclosed that the suspects may have ensnared an additional 17 Nepali nationals in various countries, purportedly with plans to smuggle them into Canada and America.
Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the smuggling network to ascertain its scope and operations.
