Detectives carried out a series of dawn raids, including one in Shropshire, as part of a huge crackdown on the illegal importation of endangered species.

Officers from Telford police, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and UK Border Agency Officers swooped on a property at The Rock in Telford yesterday.

It was part of an operation which also included raids in Wolverhampton. 

The property was searched by teams of officers and a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of various offences relating to the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997. 

He was quizzed throughout the day yesterday and released on police bail pending further inquiries today.

It is understood a number of spur-thighed tortoises were found at the property during the raid.

Chris Ammonds, spokesman for Telford police, said: “The warrants were executed as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal trade in endangered species of tortoise. As a result of the warrants, a 20-year-old man was arrested in The Rock on suspicion of various offences relating to the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997.”

Brian Stewart, head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit, said: “Offences involving endangered species are taken extremely seriously and we will continue to make every effort to trace individuals trading illegally in this industry.”

Trade in tortoises is strictly controlled by European legislation and the trade in Annex “A” species, which are those most at risk of extinction, such as Hermann’s and Spur-thighed tortoises is prohibited without government permits. 

Offences under the regulations can carry custodial sentences of up to five years.