Rare species seized in smugglingcrackdown

Border Force in worldwide operation to tackle illegal trade in plants and animals

Ivory tusks, bear claws and 400 live tortoises were among the thousands of items seized by UK Border Force in a worldwide operation to tackle the “illegal and barbaric” trade of endangered animals and plants.

Staff also uncovered a chameleon in a handbag, scorpions in postal packages and a polar bear skin in luggage during the intensive six-week operation which saw 62 countries work together to prevent the illegal movement of endangered species across international borders.

On a global scale, Thai customs made one of their biggest seizures of elephant ivory in their history.

More than 300 different animals and plants and their derivatives were seized by Border Force and police at UK airports and ports, as they worked together for Operation Cobra 3 which has resulted in 28 police investigations.

Other seizures included 166 turquoise blue geckos, 10,000 sea horses, 400 Horsefield tortoises, 11 black bear claws, 23 orchid and cacti seizures, 157 seizures of health supplements and 57 ivory products.

Grant Miller, Border Force’s head of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), said the UK is an important logistical transit hub for criminal