Kathmandu, December 8:

A police team from the Metropolitan Police Crime Division, Hanumandhoka, seized a rhino horn from Deuraj Thakur in New Buspark, Gongabu, yesterday. Police have arrested Thakur, Dhan Bahadur Tamang, Shankaraj Tamang and Gautam Ghale for their involvement in the trade of the rhino horn.

Deuraj runs Jhapali Barbar’s shop at Ghattekulo.

According to Anil Manandhar, deputy chief of the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the local price of a rhino horn is Rs 1 million. It costs around Rs 5 million in the international black market.

Police said they were yet to arrest Lokabandhu Gurung, who was also involved in the case.

Police said the case was reported after Shankarraj kidnapped Thakur to recover his money. Shankarraj had given Rs 2.5 lakh to Badri Thakur, an aide of Deuraj, as advance. But Shankarraj refused to buy the horn and demanded that he be given his money back. Shankarraj kidnapped Deuraj as he did not get back the money. Thenafter, relatives of Deuraj reported the case to the police.

The police said they arrested Shankarraj and Deuraj from the Supreme Guest House at Gongabu.

“We got the clue after a member of the network reported to the police as he didn’t get the promised share from partners,” Keshav Adhikari, Superintendent of Police at the MPCD, said.