KATHMANDU: Police have arrested two persons in possession of leopard hides from Gongabu of Tokha Municipality-9 in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Acting on a tip-off, a team deployed from the Teku-based Metropolitan Crime Division raided a guest house in Gongabu and arrested Jagat Kumar Rai (25) and Deepak Rai (18) of Okhaldhunga district and seized the animal skins.

It has been learned that the leopard was poisoned with the motive of smuggling its skin some two months ago in Okhaldhunga.

Jagat Kumar had brought the hides to sell them in Rs 500, 000 in the Capital, said police.

The duo had been involved in smuggling for long, added police.

Meanwhile, police sent the suspects to the Hattisar-based District Forests Office for further investigation and action.