The Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) today raided Pacific Traders in Kathmandu suspecting it of having evaded taxes. A team deployed by the department raided the firm after it received tip-offs of tax evasion by the company, said deputy director general of DRI Damodar Regmi.

Pacific Traders ¿ an agent of foreign TV channels ¿ provides TV signal to local cable TV signal providers, the department said, adding that DRI has suspected the firm to have evaded Value Added Tax and income tax.

The Department of Revenue Investigation has confiscated two laptops, one CPU, contract letters with local cable service providers, purchase-sale ledger, and other documents from the company's office, the department said.

A team led by Nara Bahadur Thapa was deployed to raid the firm, said Regmi. According to him, DRI will start an intensive investigation of the documents from tomorrow. The Department of Revenue Investigation has accelerated the process of conducting raids in recent days, Regmi said.

"Controlling revenue related fraud and helping maintain transparency of revenue sector are the main thrusts of the department," said deputy director general of DRI Damodar Regmi.