KATHMANDU: Five individuals have been arrested from the Manamaiju area of Kathmandu by a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office on charges of trafficking and selling wildlife contraband, specifically elephant tusks.

The arrested individuals have been identified as 25-year-old Rajib Maharjan, 26-year-old Tek Prasad Gurung, and 20-year-old Santa Bahadur Bhujel, all residents of Tarakeshwar Municipality-9; 27-year-old Ayush Maharjan from Kathmandu-17 and 24-year-old Puran Bohara from Dilasaini Rural Municipality-3, Baitadi.

During the operation, police recovered two elephant tusks from their possession, which authorities state were looted from the President’s Office during the Gen Z protest.

Additionally, law enforcement seized 150 capsules of the narcotic drug Tramadol from Rajib Maharjan’s room.

According to Information Officer and Superintendent of Police (SP) Sharat Kumar Thapa Chhetri, a formal investigation has been launched against the suspects under offenses related to both narcotics and the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973.