25 crore hidden ‘false bottom’ concealed in truck for 3 weeks in garage

KATHMANDU: A truck, reportedly headed to China for purchasing clothes, was found carrying illegal foreign currency worth approximately Rs 25 crore (USD and Euro).

The truck’s driver, identified as Kusang Lama, also known as ‘Fuchhe,’ was arrested in connection with the smuggling operation.

Although details about the currency amount remain unclear, police have speculated that the money was intended to be transported to China through the Rasuwagadhi border for purchasing gold.

Kusang Lama, a resident of Bhote Koshi Municipality-1 in Sindhupalchowk, had been staying with his family in Gokarneshwor Municipality-2, Kathmandu.

On Monday night at 11 PM, police seized the truck with registration number Na 7 Kha 1652 from Tokha Municipality-2, Jhor, based on intelligence about illegal foreign currency being smuggled across the Rasuwagadhi border into China.

According to SSP Ramesh Basnet of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, the truck was thoroughly searched after being brought to the police office, revealing hidden US dollars and Euros inside a false compartment created above the driver’s cabin.

During interrogation, Lama himself pointed out the exact location where the money had been concealed.

The truck had been parked in a garage for nearly three weeks before being seized, raising suspicions that the smuggling operation was carefully planned.

Police noted that the vehicle frequently travels between Kathmandu and Rasuwagadhi, with regular trips taking place about twice a week.

Authorities believe that Lama had purposely kept the truck in the garage, preparing it as a means for hiding the illegal currency.

The truck was associated with ‘Sony Transport,’ and it was part of a plan to transfer the currency across the border. After reaching Rasuwagadhi, the vehicle would be passed on to another driver to facilitate the illegal border crossing.

Lama, who previously faced a five-year prison sentence for tax evasion and gold smuggling, had been involved in a similar operation in 2016, when he was arrested in Galchi while attempting to smuggle 7 kg of gold into Kathmandu.

Despite being charged as a laborer at the time, authorities could not trace the key smugglers. Following his release from jail, Lama is believed to have continued working as a laborer and driver in the gold smuggling business.

Lama, when questioned, stated that he was going to China to buy fancy clothes. However, investigations suggest that the real motive was to transport illegal foreign currency to China, where gold was to be purchased and brought back to Nepal.

In addition to the foreign currency, two mobile phones were also recovered from Lama.

Chandi Prasad Ghimire, Director General of the Revenue Investigation Department, commented that the large-scale smuggling and illegal trading highlighted by this case is a growing concern.

The authorities have sent the case for further investigation and legal action to the Revenue Investigation Department.