Venemous snakes seized during joint operation

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19 Jun 2012

Venomous snakes were seized during a joint operation between police and Halton Borough Council.

On Friday 15th June police executed a warrant at an address in Allen Road, Runcorn.

Upstairs in the property officers discovered a Cannabis factory - around 60 plants were seized along with equipment for heating and lighting the plants.

Also found was a live venomous snake and a number of tanks that had housed snakes. Wildlife officers and specialist reptile handling staff were brought in to deal safely with the animal. A number of dead venomous snakes were also found. The animals were recovered from the property by Halton Borough Council using their powers under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act.

Police and council officers then carried out searches at 3 other properties − one residential property in Runcorn and two business properties (one in Widnes and one in Warrington).

The search at the business premises in Gladstone Street, Widnes, revealed some minor breaches of legislation under the Pet Animals Act that were dealt with by Halton Borough Council staff.

During the search at a house in Goldcrest Close in Runcorn, officers found an alligator, a snake and other reptiles. The alligator, classified as a dangerous and wild animal, was removed from the property by Halton Borough Council.

At a business premises in Padgate Lane, Warrington, police officers and council staff located a large king cobra, 3 monocled cobras and a rattle snake. These animals were handed over voluntarily by the owners of the business to specialist officers.

A 33-year-old man was arrested in Widnes on suspicion of cultivating Cannabis, abstracting electricity and possessing dangerous wild animals. He was subsequently released on police bail pending further enquiries. The dangerous animal offences will be dealt with by Halton Borough Council, prosecuting authority in relation to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act.

Inspector Dave Gordon said:

This operation was initiated by information we received from members of the community, we were concerned for the safety of the public, so swift and decisive action was taken. The animals were seized as part of a joint operation involving local police, Halton Borough Council staff, wildlife officers and reptile experts.

Some of the animals seized are extremely dangerous, indeed potentially lethal, they have been taken to a safe location where they will remain for the time being in the care of reptile specialists.