KATHMANDU: Police said three persons were arrested for their alleged involvement in production and smuggling of fake rhino horns from Khumaltar of Lalitpur.

Som Bahadur Singar (25) of Phaparbari in Makawanpur district and Anil Bahadur Lama (18) of Dhiyal in Makawanpur were arrested by a team deployed from the Central Investigation Bureau on Tuesday.

Police also seized equipment and materials used in the production of horn-lookalikes.

Acting on a tip-off, the CIB had deployed a team after Singar and Lama.

After interrogation, the duo revealed that they had acquired fake body parts from Shakti Ghimire (45) from Balthali of Kavre, currently residing in Sanagaun of Lalitpur district.

Police then raided Ghimire's rented room and recovered the fake horn weighing 948 grams and other various equipment and materials used in the production.

Meanwhile, police have sent the suspects to the Lalitpur District Forest Office for further investigation and action.