Shanique Samuels, STAR Writer

The police last week arrested two men in connection with the theft of 10 colonies of bees in Four Paths, Clarendon.

Information reaching THE STAR is that the two were picked up in an operation in the Havannah Heights community late Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy Superintendent Kevin Francis of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit says both men are to be questioned in the presence of their lawyer, before formal charges can be laid against them.

One of the suspects is a bee- keeper from Havannah Heights.

DSP Francis said he is happy that the unit has made a breakthrough in the case so quickly, adding that the cooperation from several police divisions has helped.

"We have gathered support from the St Thomas, St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon divisions and by pooling these resources, we are able to tackle the scourge of praedial larceny in the parish," he said.

"The praedial larceny prevention unit is not just here to talk or outline strategies, we mean business. we are action-oriented and this is the reason why the team is out in numbers to ensure farmers in Clarendon can have one night of rest; and we will be ensuring that we carry on with these best practices and operations across the length and breadth of Jamaica."

He also advised farmers transporting agricultural produce without the requisite receipts or documentation to get registered, as failure to do so will result in prosecution.