Police urge caution when purchasing beef following illegal slaughter

The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) has issued a public warning regarding the purchase of beef following the illegal slaughter of eight cows in Clarendon. The incident occurred between Friday and Saturday.

Farmer discovered the theft of his cows early Saturday morning. The animals were later found slaughtered near the PJ Patterson Highway, in the vicinity of St Jago Road and Duke Street. Investigations are ongoing, but the perpetrators have not yet been apprehended.

The APB stressed that meat from illegally slaughtered animals does not undergo mandatory veterinary inspection, posing a serious public health risk. The public is strongly advised to purchase beef exclusively from licensed and reputable vendors. Butchers, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, and consumers are urged to report any suspicious sales, especially those offered at unusually low prices, to the APB tipline, the police emergency number 119, or Crime Stop.