Revenue dept. scrutinizes mobile messages after silence on Rs 25 crore
The authorities are hopeful that messages found on his phone will reveal more about the source of the funds.
KATHMANDU: Kusang Lama, known as ‘Fuchhe,’ who was arrested with 25 crore rupees in illegal foreign currency, has not disclosed the source of the money.
As a result, the Department of Revenue Investigation is now examining his mobile phone to uncover the mystery behind the illicit currency.
The authorities are hopeful that messages found on his phone will reveal more about the source of the funds.
The Director General of the Department of Revenue Investigation, Chandi Prasad Ghimire, stated, “We have interrogated Kusang Lama several times regarding the money. However, since he remains silent, we are advancing the investigation based on the messages and phone calls on his mobile. Initially, we counted the money and questioned him, but he has not provided any details regarding its source. We are now looking into the calls and messages on his mobile phone to uncover the truth.”
Lama, a truck driver, was arrested last Monday for attempting to smuggle 25 crore, 19 lakh, 24 thousand, 950 rupees worth of foreign currency, including dollars and euros, hidden in a false bottom of the cabin of his truck.
While no further details about the money have been disclosed, police suspect it may be linked to the illegal transportation of gold across the Chinese border.
This is not the first time Kusang Lama has been involved in illegal activities.
He had previously served a five-year prison sentence for his involvement in gold smuggling.
In 2017, Lama was arrested on charges of smuggling 7 kg of gold hidden in the air filter of a Toyota Hilux truck, registered under the number BA 8 Cha 7420. Lama had failed to pay the imposed fine and was sentenced to five years in jail.
The Kathmandu District Court, led by Judge Tejendra Sharma Sapkota, had ordered Lama to pay a fine of 3 crore, 16 lakh, 26 thousand rupees and serve a one-year prison sentence in the case.
Despite his previous conviction, Lama did not reveal the source or the individuals involved in the gold smuggling.
He only claimed that he was a mere laborer and had no knowledge of who had sent or was receiving the goods.
