Smuggled tortoises found in van

Rare breeds of tortoises are known to be smuggled into the UK as pets

Wildlife crime investigators discovered a van-full of critically endangered tortoises in southern Scotland after acting on a tip-off.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) stopped the vehicle, containing 15 tortoises and two parrots, in Galashiels.

The reptiles, packed in cramped conditions, were being delivered to various Scottish addresses.

Some of the breeds found in the haul are on the verge of extinction.

It is understood the tortoises were sold, for about £150 each, through advertisements and via the internet.

The importing of endangered species without documentation from the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is illegal.

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Police believe some of the tortoises recovered from the van had travelled from the south of England, having been captured from the wild and brought into Britain via Europe.

The operation was conducted by Lothian and Borders Police and the SSPCA.

Two men were detained after the van was stopped and were interviewed before being released.

One investigator said the discovery was a "significant development".

Prison sentence

He said: "People are probably unaware that they are breaking the law buying them this way.

"The tortoises were not in a good condition. One of the breeds was sub-tropical coming from the West Indies so this smuggling venture appears to be world-wide."

The tortoises are being looked after at SSPCA centres.

Doreen Graham, a spokeswoman for the SSPCA, said: "We would ask the Scottish public to help us and track information to establish the size of the trade.

"We would like anyone who has bought any tortoise this year to contact us on 0870 240 4832."

The maximum sentence for being involved in the smuggling and sale of endangered species is two years in prison or a £10,000 fine under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act and the Control of Trade of Endangered Species Regulations.