Members of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit (PLPU) arrested eight persons for breaches of the Agricultural Produce Act during an operation in sections of St Thomas between Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27.

The operation was geared towards enforcing the Agri-cultural Produce Act (Receipt Provision), Praedial Larceny Prevention Act, Unlawful Possession of Property Acts and other legislation that aids in the fight against praedial larceny and other farm theft.

Reports are that between the hours of 6 p.m. and 3 a.m., checkpoints were set up by the police, during which one individual was accosted for issuing a fraudulent Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) receipt, another for fraudulent use of a JAS receipt and possession of agricultural produce without a receipt, and six others for possession of agricultural produce without a receipt. The identities of those in custody are being withheld pending further investigations.

Head of the PLPU, Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevin Francis, is urging members of the farming community to register with the JAS.

They are also being reminded to get their receipt books and issue them when selling their produce; buyers are also to ensure that they are issued with receipts.