Eight people have been arrested following a joint operation between the St. Catherine North and South Divisions of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), which led to the discovery of an illegal slaughterhouse on Friday.
The slaughterhouse was discovered at Big Lane, Central Village, St. Catherine, in an area described as an unsanitary “dump” by the head of Area 5 Police, Acting Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips.
“We basically uncovered an illegal slaughterhouse operating in what I can only describe as a dump… This is absolutely terrible. The sight of it is unbearable. It’s just unimaginable what we have uncovered here, and so we have kickstarted a very aggressive type of investigation,” Phillips said.
During yesterday’s operation, over forty stolen goat carcasses and a large number of live animals confined within makeshift pens were discovered. Fraudulent public health inspector stamps were also found at the location.
While the Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit will attempt to locate the owners of stolen livestock that were found alive, the stolen goat carcasses will be burned. According to Commissioner Phillips, other supporting agencies, such as the Public Health Agency, have been notified to assist the police in their investigation.
Phillips further disclosed that the individuals who have been taken into custody are from several different locations in the country.
“One thing that is interesting is that these men are from all parts of Jamaica… It is just registering very forcefully what I have been saying over a period of time that St. Catherine has become the epicentre for criminality in Jamaica,” Phillips stated.
Phillips went on to express that the police will continue to be vigilant and proactive in their efforts to apprehend individuals who engage in such criminal behaviour. The JCF is urging members of the public to exercise extreme caution and vigilance regarding the source of the meat they purchase and consume, especially during the ongoing Christmas season.
The eight individuals taken into custody, which includes one female, will face charges under the Larceny Act and the Public Health Act.
Listen to the JCF’s full statement below.
