Archiwum zagraniczne East News 2024-12

UK police have cracked the country’s biggest ever wild bird egg theft case after a major operation that could help unmask an international organised egg crime ring. More than 6,000 of the precious eggs have been confiscated in the U.K., the largest seizure of its kind in British history. Police conducted a series of police raids across Scotland, South Yorkshire, Essex, Wales, and Gloucester. The eggs, many of them rare, were discovered hidden in attics, offices, and drawers - including the eggs pictured here, confiscated by Essex Police. The raids, carried out in November, were part of Operation Pulka, an international initiative targeting the illegal taking, possession, and trade of wild bird eggs. Authorities believe they are dealing with an international organised crime network dealing in the eggs - with the ‘egg mafia’ spanning the globe. The global crackdown began in Norway in June 2023, leading to 16 arrests and the seizure of 50,000 eggs. Australia also reported seizing an estimated 3,500 eggs, with a potential value of up to A$500,000 (£250,000). “A man has been arrested and thousands of wild birds eggs seized during a warrant carried out by our Wildlife Crime specialists within our Rural Engagement Team in Benfleet,” a spokesperson from Essex Police said of the arrest they made in connection with the alleged egg crime ring. “Thousands of eggs were seized and a 62 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing wild bird eggs illegally in contravention of Section One of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. He has since been released on bail until 25 January.” Of the wider international investigation they added: “Our investigation has fallen out from an investigation into the theft and sale of bird eggs which originated in Norway in June 2023. “Since then, more than a dozen warrants have been carried out, more than 56,000 bird eggs seized, and more than a dozen arrests and charges in Norway.” Where: United Kingdom When: 29 Dec 2024 Credit: Essex Police/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**