“Officers from Lancashire Police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit investigating the illegal trade of endangered species have executed a search warrant at a house in Chorley on Saturday 31st January 2015. The warrant was the result of an investigation into the sale of wolf and ocelot skins taking place on an internet auction website. Ocelot and Wolf are classed as Annex ‘A’ and received the highest level of protection and the trade in the species is strictly controlled.

A 54 yrs old woman was interviewed under caution at Chorley Police Station. She has been issued with a formal Police caution for the prohibited sale of Annex ‘A’ Species, contrary to the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997. As a result of the search the officers have seized 3 x wolf skin coats.

The head of the NWCU, Chief Inspector Martin Sims said, “There are strict controls on the commercial use of Annex ‘A’ species. Anybody who trades in protected species has a duty to comply with the law. Anybody who fails to comply and trades without the appropriate permits, faces arrest and prosecution.”