The Department of Customs (DoC) has idled as many as 29 officials of the airport customs, suspecting their involvement in abetting a man in sneaking out of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) with 33kg gold.

A team of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on Thursday seized the huge haul of precious yellow metal in the forms of biscuits, rings and chains from the TIA gate. The CIB team also arrested Gopal Bahadur Shahi who had landed at the TIA from the UAE in an Air Arabia flight with the gold.

DoC Director General Sishir Dhungana said 29 officials have been asked not to discharge their regular duties until a probe launched by the department is completed.

“They can sign the attendance register but won’t be allowed to discharge duties,” Dhungana told the Post.

According to Dhungana, these individuals in question include assistants to under-secretary level staff.

“A probe committee under Deputy Director General Suman Dahal has been formed. This committee will conduct its own investigation and assist police,” a DoC press release said.

Following Shahi’s arrest, the CIB team had also arrested two other persons—Dinbandhu Thapa of Morang and Santosh Kafle Shahi of Dhanusha. The duo had reached the airport to receive the gold.

Meanwhile, Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi on Friday held a meeting with senior Home Ministry and security officials to discuss the matter. The meeting was attended by Home Secretary Lok Darshan Regmi, Nepal Police IGP Upendra Kant Aryal and CIB chief DIG Nabaraj Silwal among others.