KATHMANDU: Police on Tuesday arrested three persons with possession of a leopard hide.

The suspects have been identified as Suresh Thapa (19) of Melamchi-2, Santosh Thapa (18) and Govinda Rasayeli (20) of Melamchi-12.

A police team deployed from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) nabbed the trio from Nayabasti of Jorpati in Gokarnashwor-12.

Police said that the suspects along with the hide have been handed over to the District Forest Office, Hattisar for investigation.

Police informed that 24 persons have been detained with 13 leopard hides and three kg bones from various places on different dates so far in the current fiscal year.