Police on Friday seized one kilogram gold that was being smuggled to India from Birgunj, Parsa.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team intercepted an India-bound motorcycle (Na 48 Pa 3774) near Shankaracharya Gate and recovered the gold.

“The gold was hidden in the air filter under the motorcycle’s seat. Investigation is underway about involvement of businesspersons in gold smuggling,” said Superintendent of Police Rewati Dhakal at a press meet.

Police also arrested the motorcyclist Santosh Kumar Sah of Hariharpur Municipality-9, Sarlahi, for investigation.

Sah said that a person had paid him Rs 5,000 to take the gold to Raxaul, India.

Police suspect that some local traders could be involved in a gold smuggling racket that smuggles gold to Indian market through Birgunj border.

“We have strong reason to suspect that these gold biscuits reach Kathmandu from third countries before they are brought to Birgunj by carriers on passenger buses and fuel tankers. From Birgunj the gold biscuits are being smuggled across the border,” said SP Dhakal.