A POLICE operation into the trading of endangered species has seized 30 MONKEY skulls.

Officers carried out a number of raids across Devon in the search for prohibited animal body parts.

They raided properties in Newton Abbot and Torquay, in Devon, and a 52-year-old man was voluntarily interviewed by police.

In total, 30 monkey skulls were found during the searches across Devon on Tuesday, August 13.

PC Martin Beck, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Devon and Cornwall Police continue to work with partners agencies to detect and investigate wildlife crime.

"The illegal importation of any endangered species is taken serious and today show that we are capable of illegal tackling the trade wherever it occurs.”

UK Border Force has previously described the illegal trade in animal parts as "an illicit and often cruel trade".

Tim Luffman, from Border Force, said: “Border Force’s specialist CITES officers are determined to combat the illegal wildlife trade which causes so much environmental damage.

“We will not hesitate to work closely with police forces and the National Wildlife Crime Unit to bring to justice anyone involved in this type of illegal activity.”