Kanchha Lama of Gumba-7 was found with the pangolin scales by a patrol team of Area Police Office, Barhabise at around eight in the evening. Inspector Beni Silwal said police found scales of the endangered species while checking two suspicious sacks that Lama was carrying.[BREAK]
Silwal revealed that Lama was handed over to the District Forest Office, Sindhupalchowk in Chautara Sunday after being detained overnight at the Area Police Office, Bahrabise. Lama claimed that he was just carrying the sacks across the police office at the request of his brother-in-law Padam Tamang for Rs 3,000 and he didn´t know that they contained illegal items, according to police. Lama claimed that Tamang fled after seeing him arrested by police.
“But we suspect that he was also involved in smuggling as he had tried to take a detour of Ramche after seeing that he can´t pass by the police office” Silwal said. Assistant officer at the District Forest Office Tula Ram Ghimire said Lama would be tried according to the National Parks and Wild Life Conservation Act 2039 that carries a fine of Rs 50,000 to 100,000 and jail term between five and 15 years.
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