Save the image

Nepal, with its struggling economy, cannot afford to be seen as haven for smugglers of all kinds.

Nepal has over the years earned notoriety as a hub and a transit point for smuggling illegal goods. In particular, in July 2023, the country gained infamy as a hotspot for smuggling due to the involvement of high-level political leaders in bringing in 60 kg of gold via its major air gateway, Tribhuvan International Airport. The incident not only exposed Nepal’s corrupt political and bureaucratic leaderships but also emboldened potential smugglers and criminals to use Nepali territories to ply their trade.