Heathrow"s Border Force tackles wildlife smuggling threats

Border Force's Cites squad operates from Heathrow, focusing on intercepting illegal wildlife products across the UK. The team is equipped with specialized detection tools, including x-ray machines and trained dogs, to identify items that violate the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). This treaty, established in 1975, regulates the trade of 35,000 species of animals and plants, some of which cannot be traded at all. A notable case involved Jeffrey Lendrum, a former Rhodesian SAS member, who was apprehended at Heathrow on June 27, 2018, with 19 hawk, eagle, and vulture eggs strapped to his body. Border Force had prior intelligence about his arrival, leading to his immediate detention. The eggs, valued at £100,000, were illegally collected in South Africa, and two had already begun to hatch while he was being processed. The demand for wildlife products is significant, particularly in markets like China and the Middle East, where items made from endangered species are sought after for traditional medicine and luxury goods. Officers are trained to scrutinize shipments for potential illegal contents, even in seemingly harmless products like coffee bags, to ensure compliance with Cites regulations. While most seized items are destroyed, some are retained for educational purposes to raise awareness about the illegal wildlife trade. British Airways collaborates with Border Force to train staff in recognizing and reporting wildlife trafficking incidents, highlighting the airline's commitment to combating this global issue.