Nepalese police have exposed a criminal network on Mount Everest that allegedly drugged hikers to exacerbate altitude sickness, forcing helicopter evacuations and enabling fraudulent insurance claims worth millions.

Nepalese police have charged 32 individuals, including guides, helicopter pilots, and medical personnel, in connection with an insurance fraud scheme on Mount Everest. The corrupt plot allegedly involved intoxicating climbers and trekkers to defraud insurance companies of nearly 17 million.

Nepalese police say the British national was a 24-year-old man.