KATHMANDU: Police on Thursday arrested two persons for their alleged involvement in smuggling of a pangolin hide with scales from Gothatar on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu.

Prakash Danuwar (33) and Arjun Danuwar (29), permanent residents of Bhimtar village in Sindhupalchok district, were arrested from Gothatar, Kageshwor Municipality-12, yesterday.

Acting on a tip-off, the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police had deployed a team to nab the alleged smugglers.

Police said the suspects have been sent to the Hattisar-based Kathmandu District Forests Office for further investigation and action.

Pangolin is a protected species and smuggling of its body parts is illegal as per Section 26.2 of the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973.

If convicted, the suspects would be sentenced to prison for one to 10 years, or a fine of Rs 40,000 to Rs 75,000 or both.