By Siraj Khan, Nepalgunj, July 5: The Banke District Police Sunday detained an alleged wildlife smuggler along with tiger hides and bones.

The alleged wildlife trader was identified as Nabaraj Ghartimagar, a permanent resident of Raptisonari Gaunpalika-2 of Banke district, said Superintendent of Police Om Bahadur Rana.

The Police have seized 10.5 kilograms tiger bones and two pieces of hides, SP Rana said.

The District Police made Ghartimagar public at a press conference organised today.

During the police investigation, Ghartimagar said that his friend Prakash Acharya had killed the tiger at the Banke National Park during the lockdown period.

A gun was used to kill the tiger, Ghartimagar told the police during the interrogation, SP Rana said.

The seized bones and hides were concealed in a maize field after killing the tiger. According to the police, Ghartimagar was assured of selling the smuggling goods at Rs. 2.4 million by his relative Nare Gharti.

Ghartimagar was arrested from his own home this morning by a joint police team deployed from No. 5 State Police Investigation Office and the Area Police Office, Kushum.

The locals have imformed that smugglings of protected wild animals had increased during the lockdown period.