Charge over trade in tortoises

The man, from Telford, was charged with seven offences in relation to the illegal trade of tortoise by detectives at Malinsgate Police Station last night.

Police said he was charged with seven offences of the prohibited selling of a specimen of an animal and one offence of furnishing false documents for the issue of a permit in relation to endangered species.

It comes after detectives carried out dawn raids, including one in Telford, as part of a crackdown on the illegal importation of endangered species in November.

Officers from Telford police, the National Wildlife Crime Unit and UK Border Agency Officers joined forces for the raids. It is understood it involved the importation of spur-thighed tortoise.

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.

The man is due to appear before Telford Magistrates Court on March 23.