Kathmandu, Aug. 16 -- The Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) has filed a case against 12 individuals, including Silk Group chairperson Ramesh Sherpa, for their alleged involvement in large-scale illegal trade of Chinese electronic cigarettes (vapes).

The case, lodged at the Lalitpur District Court on Thursday, seeks prison terms along with fines totalling nearly Rs17.5 billion.

Authorities say the smuggling network operated under the guise of legitimate trade, using nearly 100 shipping containers to transport goods from China.

The investigation gathered pace after a dramatic raid on January 7, when 86,400 vapes were seized from a Silk warehouse in Mahalaxmi Municipality-4, Sitallheight.

The following day, more documents and com...