“High-Level Involvement Exposed in 9kg Gold Smuggling via Vape; Former Speaker Mahara Arrested”

Former Speaker and Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara has been arrested again in connection with the 9 kg gold smuggling case.

On December 25, 2022, gold was found hidden inside electronic cigarettes (vape) brought by a Chinese citizen. After initial confiscation, the gold was secretly extracted from the vapes, replaced with other products, and sold. Customs officials, security guards, agents, and businessmen were involved in the scheme.

Police investigations revealed over Rs 60 million was distributed from the sale of the gold. Mahara is accused of pressuring customs officers to release the vape shipment and has been charged with organized crime. Evidence also shows his son, Rahul Mahara, was in contact with individuals linked to the smuggling. Police say further investigation is underway into the smuggling network and potential political protection.