Haringey police find illegal stuffed lion’s head and monkey skin during raid

Haringey police officers have seized a stuffed lion’s head among other illegal animal items in a raid today.

A Haringey police officer holds up part of a sawfish seized in a raid - Credit: Archant

Officers carried out a search warrant at a property in an undisclosed location at about 8am after seeing exotic and endangered animal items for sale online.

When they searched the property under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulation 1997, they seized the fanged beast’s head as well as part of a sawfish, monkey skin, three tortoise shells, three lumps of coral and four clams.

Inspector Jonathan Waterfield said: “This was really good work by one of our officers, who got a warrant and proactively dealt with it.

“It might not make the headlines like robberies and burglaries but this still matters and it is still an offence.”

MPS Haringey tweeted two images of Pc Lodge, the borough’s wildlife liaison officer, holding up the lion’ss head and the sawfish part today.

A man is being interviewed by police in connection with the raid.

Officers are carrying out further examination of the items before deciding whether to return the products or make arrests.

No arrests have yet been made.