Agricultural Protection Branch arrests surge past 400 in first year, Jamaica

Jamaica's Agricultural Protection Branch more than tripled arrests for farm-related crimes in its first year. Convictions also rose sharply, from 18 to 120.

APB arrests top 400 as farm crime convictions jump sixfold

The Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force has more than tripled arrests for agricultural crimes in its first year, the Jamaica Observer reports.

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green disclosed the figures last week at the launch of the Heifer Redistribution programme at Serge Island Dairies in St Thomas.

"A year before, we arrested about 120 people around agricultural crime. One year since we've had the Agricultural Protection Branch, that number has moved to over 400 people arrested for agricultural crime," Green said.

The APB was established in June 2025 as a specialised unit to combat praedial larceny and safeguard agricultural livelihoods and national food security.

Green pointed to an equally sharp rise in convictions — from 18 in the year before the branch's launch to 120 in its first year of operation.

"Arrests sound good, but convictions sound better," he said, crediting dedicated investigators for preparing cases more effectively for court.

The minister noted that farmers in parishes such as Trelawny have reported a decline in agricultural theft since the unit became operational. He added that penalties for agricultural-related offences have increased significantly, and that his ministry continues to work with the JCF to roll out the agricultural wardens programme.

"So, in the areas where we have significant issues, we will have more people to treat with these agricultural crimes," Green said.

Superintendent of Police Oral Foster, also speaking at the event, reaffirmed the APB's commitment to farmers nationwide.

"We believe that every single farmer deserves the same level of protection as any other sector in Jamaica," Foster said.

Source: Jamaica Observer