Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) Alerts Public to Increase in Livestock Theft Ahead of the Yuletide Season
The Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) is alerting farmers and members of the public to an emerging trend of large-scale livestock theft across the island, particularly involving cattle and goats, as the Yuletide season approaches.
The public is being urged to exercise caution when purchasing beef, goat meat and other livestock products. Consumers are encouraged to purchase meat only from reputable and legitimate sources and to be wary of unusually low prices or suspicious transactions.
Business entities involved in the sale of meat are also being urged to exercise due diligence by verifying the legitimate ownership and origin of livestock before entering any transactions.
Meanwhile, the APB is intensifying its operational response to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal networks involved in praedial larceny, livestock laundering, fraudulent livestock transactions, and the illegal slaughter and distribution of stolen animals.
Persons with information relating to livestock theft, illegal slaughtering, livestock laundering or suspicious agricultural transactions are asked to contact the Agricultural Protection Branch at 876-579-6636, 876-402-1941, the police emergency 119 number, or the nearest police station.
