Police detained four people from Belchowk-7 in Bharatpur, Chitwan, on Monday night on the charge of smuggling aviation fuel.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajan Adhikari said the suspects were detained along with a Kathmandu-bound tanker (Na 2 Kha 4365) carrying aviation fuel from Nepalgunj. Tanker driver Somlal Blon of Makawanpur, Kishwori Patel of Birgunj, Binod Awasthi of Belchok in Chitwan, and Awasthi’s employee were held. A police patrol team detained the accused while the tanker driver was selling around 2,000 litres of fuel to Awasthi.

Police said the tanker driver offered bribe to cover up the matter. Investigation suggests Awasthi purchased the fuel at Rs 100 per litre. “A detailed probe is under way,” said Adhikari, adding that two others, except Blon and Awasthi, could be innocent. The tanker left for Kathmandu carrying 20,000 litres of fuel from Ranjha Airport.