Wildlife crime arrest in Essex
October 2013: A man from Essex has been arrested by officers from the National Crime Unit on suspicion of smuggling endangered birds of prey.
A number of dead birds, believed to be owls, were recovered from a freezer in the house in Stanford-le-Hope and forensic analysis is now being carried out to find out how they were killed. Another 25 taxidermy birds were also seized.
The man was arrested on suspicion of trading in endangered species and evading restrictions contrary to the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 and Control of Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997.
The search was part of a joint investigation involving the NCA’s Border Policing Command, Border Force and the National Wildlife Crime Unit officers.
Senior investigating officer Ian Truby, from the NCA’s Border Policing Command, said: “This joint investigation has so far identified around 150 endangered birds that we suspect have been sold without the correct trade certificates or export permits. Unregulated imports or exports of animals can harm the survival of rare species. That is why the law around moving them is so strict.”
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