Nepal’s most wanted wildlife criminal has been arrested in Malaysia. Rajkumar Praja — the top boss of a rhino poaching network in Nepal — was caught after Nepali and local authorities worked together through an Interpol channel.
Last month, the 31-year-old was found carrying a passport with a false name and has since been deported, The Malaysian Insider reports.
According to the report, he had been sentenced to 15 years in jail but had escaped two years ago.
Nepal Police Central Investigation Bureau director Hemant Malla Thakuri was quoted as saying: “What we have achieved with the arrest of Rajkumar Praja is a testament to how law enforcement agencies can utilise Interpol resources to share information and coordinate beyond national boundaries to combat transnational organised crime. This arrest sends a strong message to criminals hiding in a foreign country that no matter where they are, they are not safe and will be caught one day.”
About a dozen poachers were reportedly arrested over the killing of 19 rhinos in Chitwan National Park in 2013.
Image credit: www.lockedhornproject.com
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