It has been revealed that the Chinese citizen, Zeqiang Lin, who was arrested in the 100 kg gold case today, came to Nepal a year ago.
Lin, who was about to leave Nepal on Thursday, was arrested by the police at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
The Department of Revenue Investigation had issued a letter to arrest him. Following the Department's letter, the Department of Immigration asked the police to arrest him.
He had reached the airport to fly to China by a flight of Tibet Airlines. His visa to stay in Nepal has not yet expired. He was making preparations to leave Nepal after receiving information that the Revenue Investigation Department had arrested some people with around 100 kilograms of gold.
He came to Nepal on a business visa and his visa was valid till August 2023.
Zeqiang also operated a cargo company in Nepal. Land and Ocean International Logistics Private Limited was operating in Nepal in his name, a source at the company's office in Maharajgunj told Nepalkhabar.
He also got a visit visa extended three times while staying in Nepal. On September 28, 2022, he obtained a three-month visit visa. Again on March 10, 2023, he stayed in Nepal with a three-month visit visa. He extended a three-month visit visa for the third time on April 16, 2023, and lastly took a three-month business visa on May 11, 2023. That visa is valid until August 9, 2023.
However, after the 100 kg gold was confiscated, he reached the immigration office at the airport on Thursday to return to China.
He was arrested and handed over to the Department of Revenue Investigation. Police have already arrested six people including an Indian of Tibetan origin in the 100 kg gold case.
Among those arrested are 21-year-old Dilip Bhujel, resident of Melung Rural Municipality-3, Dolakha, now residing in Sankhu, Kathmandu, Ramkumar Bhujel, 53, resident of the same place, currently staying at Swayambhu, 49-year-old Harkaraj Rai, resident of Arun Rural Municipality-4, Bhojpur, currently staying at Budhanilkantha, and 53-year-old Indian citizen Thapten Chiring, currently staying at Panipokhari.
High Court, Patan on Thursday remanded them to 10 days in custody for investigation.
Similarly, the court has also issued necessary arrest warrants to the Department of Revenue Investigation to arrest more people involved in this case.
