A suspected smuggler was busted at a major UK airport with a haul of rare endangered bird eggs – and live chicks.
The man was stopped at London Heathrow with 17 rare bird eggs – and two newly hatched chicks.
Border Force arrested an Irish national Jeffrey Lendrum at the busy airport after discovering the stash on June 26.
The 56-year-old, who was residing in Johannesburg, South Africa, was charged with importing endangered species.
After the discovery, an investigation into the importation was passed on to the National Crime Agency.
Many of the eggs recovered in June have now hatched, and the birds are being cared for at a specialist bird of prey conservation centre.
He is set to appear before Uxbridge Magistrates court.