Police have arrested 25 individuals from various locations across Nepal for possession of illegal drugs, Nepal Police’s official news and information dissemination body, the Central Police Newsroom, announced. The arrests were made during routine patrols.
Among those apprehended, two individuals were arrested from Nakkhu Dobato in Lalitpur Metropolitan City-4, one from Chamwas in Gajuri Rural Municipality-2, Dhading, and two from Pipra Tole in Siraha Municipality-21, Madhesh Province. Four individuals were arrested from Khotang Hotel in Mama Chowk, Damak Municipality-1, Jhapa, and two from Bodebarsain Municipality-5, Saptari, also in Madhesh Province.
Further arrests include two individuals from Jamuni Bazaar in Badhaiyatal Rural Municipality-2, Bardiya; three from Alka Marg in Biratnagar Metropolitan City-11, Morang; one from Nadipur in Pokhara Metropolitan City-3, Kaski; and one from Amaha Chowk in Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City-19, Sunsari. Three more individuals were arrested from Nayabasti in Barahakshetra Municipality-3, Sunsari. Two individuals were apprehended from Sagarpath in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-11, Makwanpur, and two from Birendranagar Municipality-11, Surkhet.
Police seized brown heroin, cannabis, and Nitrazepam from the arrested individuals. Nitrazepam is a controlled substance that can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription.
Impact in Madhesh Province
The arrests in Siraha and Saptari highlight the ongoing issue of drug trafficking and abuse in Madhesh Province, Nepal’s southern plains province, and the wider Terai region. This indicates a persistent challenge for law enforcement in these areas.
Ongoing Investigation
The arrested individuals are currently under investigation in accordance with the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act. Police stated that charges will be filed against them following the completion of the investigation.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the detailed identities of the 25 arrested individuals, including their names, addresses, ages, or nationalities. The exact quantity of the seized drugs has also not been specified. It remains unclear whether the arrested individuals are drug traffickers or merely users, and investigations are ongoing to determine if others are involved in these cases. Further details regarding the source and destination of the drugs are also unavailable at this time.
