The couple is suspected, among other things, of having bred desert lynxes and the African serval cat. They are also suspected of having bred breeds crossed with domestic cats, according to the police.
On the couple's social media, lynxes, hyenas, and pumas were also sold. They offered an example of the rare and elusive tree leopard for the equivalent of 660,000 Swedish kronor.
The investigation has shown that the couple's operation is only "the tip of the iceberg" of an international trade in protected species, such as white tigers and panthers, "involving breeders, transporters, and veterinarians".
According to the police, most of the animals came from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, from where they were smuggled into the EU and offered for sale with false documentation.
Over 40 permits for animals from Russia, Belarus, and China were also seized.
