Cheshire raids seize alligator, cobras & cannabis!

In a joint operation, between Cheshire Constabulary and Halton Borough Council, two residential properties and two business properties in Runcorn, Widnes and Warrington were raided last Friday and uncovered a cannabis farm, live (and dead) venomous snakes, an alligator and other reptiles.

On Friday 15th June police executed a warrant at an address in Allen Road, Runcorn where police officers discovered a Cannabis farm containing around 60 plants in the upstairs of the property. Also found in the property was a live venomous snake and a number of tanks that had housed snakes, along with a number of dead venomous snakes.

Police and council officers then carried out searches at one residential property in Goldcrest Close in Runcorn, where officers found an alligator, a snake and other reptiles.

The other two searches of commercial properties revealed that the Widnes premises had some minor breaches of legislation under the Pet Animals Act and the Warrington premises uncovered a large king cobra, 3 monocled cobras and a rattle snake; which were handed over voluntarily by the owners of the business to specialist officers.

The venomous snakes and alligator were removed by Halton Borough Council’s powers under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, and the offences will be dealt with by them.

A 33-year-old man in Widnes was released on bail, pending further enquiries, after being arrested on suspicion of cultivating Cannabis, abstracting electricity and possessing dangerous wild animals.

Inspector Dave Gordon commented:

“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.”

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