KATHMANDU: Security forces have seized 2.605 kilograms of jewelry from a woman at the border checkpoint in Siddharthanagar Municipality-1, Rupandehi. The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Ila Patel from Kathmandu Metropolitan City-19, was apprehended based on specific intelligence.
A joint team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Gopi Krishna Bhattarai of the Armed Police Force, Nepal Border Security Company, Danda, intercepted Patel while she was entering Nepal from India. During the search, officials discovered various items of jewelry, including necklaces, rings, bangles, chains, earrings, pendants, and bracelets.
The seized items were sent to the Siddharthanagar Gold and Silver Dealers Association for testing. The examination confirmed that the jewelry consisted of a gold coating over other metals, with the actual gold content estimated at approximately one kilogram. According to Deputy Superintendent Bhattarai, the total value of the seized items, based on current market rates, has been assessed at Rs 25.19 million.
Patel and the confiscated jewelry have been handed over to the Bhairahawa Customs Office in Rupandehi for further investigation and legal action. Harihar Poudel, Chief Customs Officer at the Bhairahawa Customs Office, stated that the necessary administrative and legal processes regarding the seized items have been initiated.
