Police Raid What is Possibly Europe's Largest Illegal Turtle Farm
August 23, 2018 - Law enforcement has seized over 1,100 turtles and tortoises from an alleged illegal hatchery on the Spanish island of Mallorca. This is the largest illicit turtle farm in Europe, Spanish police say. Among the animals seized were 14 of the 50 most endangered turtle species in the world, according to Europol. Trade of many of these species is typically banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The suspects face charges of smuggling of protected species and money laundering. The investigation is ongoing.
Transcript
Law enforcement has seized over 1,100 turtles and tortoises from an alleged illegal hatchery on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
This is the largest illicit turtle farm in Europe, Spanish police say.
Among the animals seized were 14 of the 50 most endangered turtle species in the world, according to Europol.
Trade of many of these species is typically banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The suspects face charges of smuggling of protected species and money laundering.
The investigation is ongoing.
