Essex man charged with various offences relating to illegal theft & trade of wild birds’ eggs

Press release from Essex Police (13 May 2026):

BENFLEET: MAN CHARGED WITH OFFENCES RELATING TO THE COLLECTION OF WILD BIRDS’ EGGS

A Benfleet man has been charged in connection with an investigation by our Rural Engagement Team into the theft and illegal trade of wild birds’ eggs.

David Gordon, 64, is accused of having in his possession or control 114 wild birds’ eggs listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, having in his possession or control 970 wild birds’ eggs contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and possession of a large egg collection of approximately 2,707 birds’ eggs with the intention of using it to commit a wildlife crime.

Gordon, of HMP Highpoint, is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 22 June 2026.

ENDS

I believe these charges are related to a major international police operation called Operation Pulka, where coordinated police raids were undertaken across the UK, Norway and Australia in 2023/24 as part of an investigation into an alleged international egg-trading network.

NB: Comments are turned off as legal proceedings are now live.