Hetauda police have arrested three youths for illegal possession of firearms here in Makwanpur district on Monday.

Binod Rai, 18, of Manahari VDC in Makwanpur district, Rif Bahadur Thapa, 36, of Bara Gadimai-1, and Mohamad Samir Ansari, 22, of Motihari India, were arrested on Monday with a semi-automatic 'made in USA' pistol and nine bullets.

A team of Area Police Office Bhimphedi found the weapons from the bag of Rai during a security check on a Kathmandu-bound Tata Sumo van (Na 1 Ja 2995).

Police arrested Rif Bahadur Thapa based on the statement recorded by Rai. Thapa reportedly asked Rai to deliver the arms to Kathmandu with an assurance to pay Rs 10,000.

According to Rai, police arrested Ansari from Kathmandu for his alleged involvement in illegal arms trade.