Three people have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering following an operation tackling the illegal breeding and selling of African grey parrots.
The parrots are an endangered species and a permit is required to sell and import or export them.
The operation in Heywood this morning resulted in 25 birds being recovered by the RSPCA.
Three people – one woman aged 33, a 30-year-old man and a 29-year-old man – were arrested on suspicion of money laundering. They remain in police custody.
“Today officers from the RSPCA Special Operations Unit joined police as they executed a number of warrants across Greater Manchester in connection with an investigation being led by the National Wildlife Crime Unit into the exotic parrot trade.” Said an RSPCA spokesperson
“More than 20 birds were removed by police and the RSPCA is now arranging specialist care for these birds. As an investigation is ongoing, we will not be commenting any further at this time.”
