Kathmandu, May 18 -- Authorities at the Rasuwagadhi customs checkpoint seized more than 7 kilograms of smuggled gold from a container truck entering Nepal from China.

According to customs officials, the gold was hidden in a secret compartment-commonly known as a 'false bottom'-near the driver's seat of the truck, which was reportedly transporting apples from the Kerung border.

Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai, chief of the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office, confirmed to the Post that seven gold biscuits and several smaller fragments were recovered during an inspection based on tip-off. The total weight of the recovered gold is estimated to be approximately 7.6 kilograms.

"The gold was concealed in a sophisticated manner, which indicates organised smugg...