Kathmandu, Feb 5 (IANS): Officials at Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) have arrested a man who was allegedly trying to smuggle in 12 kg of gold from the United Arab Emirates, immigration officials here said Thursday.

Nepalese national Bodharaj Paudel, who landed at the airport at around 4 p.m. Wednesday, was arrested by security personnel during the security clearance at the TIA immigration counter, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to officials, Paudel was arrested when 12 kg of gold was found in his luggage after he arrived at Kathmandu from the UAE by a Qatar Airways flight.

Paudel had left for the UAE some five years ago for work. Talking to media at the airport after his arrest, Paudel claimed innocence and said it was a conspiracy against him upon his arrival in Nepal from the UAE.

"The gold doesn't belong to me. I am innocent. I didn't know why it was in my bag," he said.

The immigration officials have begun investigations after taking him into custody.

Smuggling of gold from the Gulf countries to India via Nepal has been increasing in recent years, Nepalese immigration officials said.