News

Endangered species products seized in south London

1 July 2009

On Monday 22nd June officers from the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit and Lewisham Police searched a Chinese medicine shop in Burnt Ash Road, South East London, and seized approximately 60 products believed to be made from endangered animals including musk deer, leopard and seahorse.

The Search Warrant was issued under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997. These regulations make it illegal to sell, keep for sale, or buy any item that claims to be made from an endangered species.

Officers carried out the raid after receiving intelligence from the Environmental Investigation Agency, a non-governmental agency which investigates and campaigns against the illegal trade in wildlife and other forms of environmental crime.

Andy Fisher, Head of the Met's Wildlife Crime Unit said:

"Most Chinese Medicines are not made from endangered species and can be sold legally. However, a small number of people continue to trade in these products and Operation Charm will continue to work to end this illegal activity. Ultimately, as long as Londoners continue to buy products made from endangered species, poachers and traffickers will continue to profit from killing and supplying animals from other parts of the world and the future of some of our most endangered species will be at risk. The Met Police is committed to stopping the illegal trade in endangered species and would advise the public not to purchase products purporting to contain endangered species."

Head of EIA's Tiger Campaign, Debbie Banks, praised the action by the Met's Wildlife Crime Unit, she said:

"The UK enforcement agencies set a great example to others around the world, co-operating with NGOs and raising awareness amongst consumers to send a clear message that the UK is committed to stamping out wildlife crime."

The operation was followed by a film crew from the BBC television series Animal 24-7 and will be featured in their next series due to be screened in 2010.