In just a month, the UK's Border Force seized more than 250 species and endangered wildlife products at airports, ports and mail depots

Tarantulas, live snakes and lovebirds have been discovered crammed into vehicles by smuggling gangs.

In just a month, the UK's Border Force seized more than 250 species and endangered wildlife products at airports, ports and mail depots. The Home Office said these included 2,000 live tarantulas - worth an estimated £70,000.

And officers also found two rainbow boa constrictors found under blankets in a car in Dover during the operation in September and October. Over 100 birds - including scarlet ibis, green-cheeked conures and lovebirds - were found packed into a car. Some had died and the rest were in a filthy condition. READ MORE : MPs back EU custo

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