A man from Northern Ireland has been charged after a large haul of eels was seized by border force officers at Holyhead Port.
A joint investigation began when numerous boxes of European eels - which are considered to be at high risk of extinction - were found in a vehicle in January.
Kevin Forbes (32) of Dungannon, now faces a series of charges under the Customs and Excise Act, the Animal Welfare Act and regulations relating to the control of trade in endangered species.
Rural crime officers from North Wales Police worked alongside the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
The European eel - also known as Anguilla anguilla - is on the red list of the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which means they are listed as critically endangered.
A North Wales Police spokesperson explained: "Eels play a key role in freshwater ecosystems as a high-order predator, helping regulate other species populations and maintaining freshwater biodiversity."
"They are also a critical food source for many birds, mammals and large fish."
Forbes is due to appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on Thursday 28th November.
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