KENT NEWS (Ashford, UK) 22 November 10 Properties searched in Kent - Police investigation into the illegal trading of rare species
More than 70 properties in Kent have been searched as part of a Kent Police investigation into the illegal trade of endangered species.
Tortoises, newts and rare reptiles and amphibians were the focus, forming part of a global crack down.
Officers searched 78 addresses in the county and several premises were found to have licenses in breach of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations.
No arrests were made, but investigations are ongoing.
The force’s wildlife crime officers worked throughout September gathering intelligence on the illegal trading of endangered species at wholesale outlets and by traders, where a number of premises were searched.
PC Michael Laidlow, Kent Police's wildlife and rural environmental crime coordinator, said: "The majority of reptiles and amphibians are traded legally in Kent.
"Traders of protected endangered species need to show that they were imported lawfully into the EU or derived from such sustainable stock.
"Anyone found breaching regulations could face prison sentences."
In August, the force helped Merseyside Police and other agencies in an investigation into an illegal trade in monkeys.
Police investigation into the illegal trading of rare species

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• GBR Press: Properties searched in Kent - W von Papineäu, Tue Nov 23 11:58:33 2010
• RE: GBR Press: Properties searched in Kent - jscrick, Tue Nov 23 14:18:14 2010
• Registration Leads to Confiscation? - chris_mcmartin, Tue Nov 23 18:42:05 2010