Kathmandu, August 10:

The Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD), Hanumandhoka, yesterday arrested Lal Mahamad, 59,

of Parsa on the charge of trading endangered musk deer. The police is yet to nab

Chandra Krishne, 45, of Bhaktapur, who is also allegedly involved in the trading.

A team from the MPCD arrested Mahamad from Sundhara, when he was searching for customers. “Mahamad, a carpenter, was involved in the business after he met Krishne. The musk is learnt to have been brought from Jumla through Surkhet,” SP Devendra Subedi at the MPCD, said.

Subedi said that 30-45 grams of musk could be found in a musk deer’s stomach. The musk deer is generally found in high-himalayan areas like upper Karnali, Lamtang conservation area.

“Though the price of musk is learnt to be very high, we can’t quote its exact value as it solely depends upon sellers and buyers,” Subedi added.

An official from the World Wildlife Fund said that the musk deer is useful in medicinal healing. “It is believed that it can cure fever, asthma and other chronic diseases,” he added. The MPCD said that the alleged, if convicted, would be slapped five to 15 years of jail term or fined Rs 50,000 to 100,000.