Nims Purja owned Elite Exped client arrested on currency smuggling charges A Ukrainian-American climber, who reportedly made the fastest ascent of Mt Everest after flying from New York to Nepal, has been detained for illegally carrying a large sum of undeclared foreign currency. UK Minister among 4 Army veterans makes fastest-ever Everest ascent from London Kidney transplant survivor Pemba Sherpa makes record ascent of Mt Everest Andrew Ushakov, a client of Elite Exped, owned by controversial climber Nirmal 'Nims' Purja was arrested by the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) after being found with a huge amount of undeclared US dollars. According to Badri Kumar Karki, the investigation officer and director of the Revenue Investigation Department, Ushakov was caught with US$20,000 in cash at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Sunday while attempting to board a Turkish Airlines flight to the US. Authorities arrested him for allegedly trying to smuggle undeclared foreign currency out of Nepal. "Andrew hid the cash in his luggage, and police discovered it during baggage scanning," Karki told THT. Police then handed over Ushakov to the DRI for further investigation. During interrogation, Ushakov claimed he had originally brought the money from the US and intended to take it back after summiting Mt Everest. His celebration of his controversial speed ascent was short-lived, as he was detained shortly afterwards. "He has been charged with attempting to smuggle undeclared foreign currency and he is now at Jawalakhel police custody," officials stated. According to a post by Nims Purja, Ushakov began his challenge from sea level in New York on May 15 at 00:30am, flew to Kathmandu, then to Everest Base Camp. From there, he and his team summited Everest on May 19 at 9:22am-completing the feat in just 3 days, 23 hours, and 7 minutes. However, DRI officer Karki said Ushakov was fined $60,000 for violating foreign currency regulations. "He remains in custody as he hasn't paid the fine till this evening," Karki added. Nims Purja and the Elite Exped team have reportedly intervened, seeking his swift release. Elite Exped representatives couldn't be reached for their comments at the time of going to print. Under Nepal's Foreign Exchange (Regulation) Act, 1962, individuals cannot carry foreign currency beyond the limit set by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) without declaration. Exceeding the legal threshold requires prior NRB approval. Additionally, the Customs Act, 2007 mandates that any attempt to export foreign currency or goods beyond the legal limit must be declared to customs. Violations can result in fines, confiscation, or imprisonment. Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DoT) under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is investigating Ushakov's claims of the record ascent, along with four former British Army personnel who reportedly used xenon gas and hypoxic tents for acclimatization, according to Himal Gautam, DoT Director.