AGRICULTURAL PROTECTION BRANCH SEIZES OVER 500 POUNDS OF UNINSPECTED MEAT IN DOWNTOWN KINGSTON
The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) is issuing an urgent public advisory following the seizure of more than 500 pounds of uninspected and improperly handled meat during an operation conducted in downtown Kingston on Sunday, February 22.
Reports are that at about 12:00 p.m., members of the APB Metro Team carried out a targeted intelligence-led operation dubbed ‘Operation Farm Shield. The initiative resulted in the interception of meat products allegedly intended for public distribution without the requisite inspection, licensing, and food safety compliance.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the meat was not subjected to the mandatory inspection process and was being handled in a manner inconsistent with established public health and safety standards. The seizure was executed to prevent potentially contaminated or spoilt meat from entering the consumer market.
As a result of the operation, 58-year-old Milton Bundy, otherwise called ‘Corouches,’ a vendor of Maxfield Avenue, Kingston 13, was arrested and charged with:
• Unlawful Possession of Meat
• Possession of Uninspected Meat
• Operating Without a Butcher’s Licence
• Operating Without a Food Handler’s Permit
This action forms part of the APB’s intensified strategy to safeguard Jamaica’s food supply chain and follows ongoing investigations into unlawful meat distribution within the market district.
Senior Superintendent of Police and Commanding Officer for the Agricultural Protection Branch, Mr. Oral Pascoe, reaffirmed the Branch’s commitment to securing Jamaica’s agricultural future: “The men and women of the Agricultural Protection Branch continue to work strategically to confront illegal activities that threaten public safety. We remain resolute in ensuring that unscrupulous individuals do not compromise the health and wellbeing of our citizens.”
The JCF is reminding members of the public to purchase meat only from licensed and certified vendors, ensure products bear appropriate inspection markings, and report any suspicious activity involving the sale or distribution of meat.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
