Police in Birgunj, Parsa, seized smuggled goods worth over Rs 1 million (Rs 1,006,760) on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, but confirmed that no arrests were made in connection with the customs evasion. The seizure included mobile phones, cosmetics, and apples brought in from India.
The District Police Office, Parsa, reported that three Apple iPhone 17 units and one iPhone 15, valued at Rs 552,210, were seized at Gandak Chowk in Birgunj Metropolitan City-14. Separately, cosmetics and apples worth Rs 454,550 were confiscated from a consignment at Rajatjayanti Chowk in Birgunj Metropolitan City-16.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Chakra Bahadur Malla of the District Police Office, Parsa, confirmed that all seized items have been handed over to the Birgunj Customs Office, the primary customs point in Parsa district. The Birgunj Customs Office was formed on Shrawan 1, 2082 (BS), through the merger of the former Birgunj Customs Office and the Dry Port Customs Office.
Birgunj’s ongoing smuggling challenge
Birgunj, a major entry point into Nepal, has long been a challenging area for controlling petty smuggling due to its open border with India. Security officials state that smugglers frequently exploit this porous border to bring in various goods, from daily consumables and clothing to mobile phones and illicit drugs.
Smugglers often transport goods on their heads through fields, embankments, and the Sirsiya River, sometimes waiting 24 to 48 hours in border areas for security surveillance to weaken, according to the Armed Police Force. The incident, occurring during the festive season, dealt a significant blow to Madhesh’s economy and state revenue, as detailed in earlier coverage.
Impact on Madhesh Province and Legal Action
As Birgunj is the main economic gateway for Madhesh Province, smuggling directly impacts the province’s revenue collection. It also negatively affects legitimate trade, making it difficult for local businesses and farmers to compete. The open border and rampant smuggling have contributed to an increase in drug abuse and other criminal activities in Madhesh Province. Past reports, including one by Kantipur on August 25, 2025 (Bhadra 9, 2082 BS), indicated police involvement in smuggling operations in Madhesh, leading to disciplinary action against over a hundred officers.
The seized goods will now undergo further investigation and legal proceedings under the Customs Act, 2082. This act, which replaced the Customs Act, 2064, stipulates that smuggled goods are subject to confiscation, and individuals involved may face fines and imprisonment. The Department of Revenue Investigation typically files charges in cases of revenue leakage and issues notices for the auction of confiscated goods.
Key questions remain unanswered
Despite the significant seizure, it remains unclear whether any individuals involved in this specific act of customs evasion have been apprehended. Further details regarding the final legal process for the seized goods, such as auctioning or other arrangements, are not yet available. The investigation into the masterminds behind this smuggling operation is also not explicitly detailed.
