KATHMANDU:
A 29 year old Indian national was apprehended at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, after security officials discovered a substantial cache of marijuana in her luggage, Nepal Police announced on Tuesday.
The suspect, identified as Leiyawon Phungthar, arrived from Bangkok aboard an Air Asia flight. During routine checks in the arrival hall, airport security officials detected the contraband, estimated at over 5.7 kilograms, concealed in her baggage. She was subsequently placed under arrest and handed over to the Nepal Police Drugs Control Unit for further investigation and legal proceedings, police confirmed.
This seizure adds to a spate of high volume drug interceptions at Kathmandu airport in recent months. In early June, Nepal Police detained an Indian national, Pereira Giffin (29), along with a Thai accomplice after discovering more than 10 kilograms of marijuana aboard a Nepal Airlines flight from Bangkok. Earlier in April, a Thai woman was arrested with six kilograms of the drug at the same airport.
Narcotics officials from the Drugs Control Unit are now engaged in detailed questioning to determine the source of the narcotics and any links to international smuggling networks. Emphasis is being placed on potential trafficking routes between Thailand, Nepal, and India, which have been repeatedly flagged by authorities.
Airport security personnel have confirmed that recent arrests frequently involve travellers arriving from Bangkok, with marijuana concealed in concealed compartments within luggage. This persistent trend has raised alarm among law‑enforcement agencies in Nepal, India and Thailand, who are working to disrupt the transit of illegal narcotics across borders.
At present, Leiyawon Phungthar remains in custody under the supervision of the Drugs Control Unit at Kathmandu. Authorities will decide whether to press charges under Nepal’s Narcotics Control Act, which carries severe penalties for trafficking significant quantities of controlled substances.
This arrest comes amid intensified efforts by Nepalese authorities to tighten surveillance at entry points and curb the steady flow of illegal drugs from Southeast Asia through transit hubs such as Kathmandu. The Drugs Control Unit has urged passengers and airline crew to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity linked to narcotics trafficking.
Legal experts observe that the arrest could lead to a long term investigation into possible organised smuggling operations. If she is found guilty, the accused may face multiple years of imprisonment, hefty fines or both, depending on the precise weight of the seized marijuana and any other substance found in her possession.
The case continues to unfold as authorities delve into flight records, passenger logs and customs data. Meanwhile, regional law enforcement agencies are expected to step up cooperation efforts, with cross border information sharing deemed essential to dismantle these illicit drug corridors.
