KINGSTON, Jamaica- The Government has injected $7 million into the Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, as it moves to intensify efforts to address agricultural theft.

Portfolio Minister Derrick Kellier said the money has been used to employ additional staff to bolster the work of the unit, which includes the services of two members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

He was addressing journalists last Thursday at a media conference at his Hope Gardens offices in St Andrew. 

The policemen, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Francis and Sergeant Damian Harry, will head the ministry’s praedial larceny prevention operational activities and will mobilise members of the JCF across the island to curb praedial larceny.

Additional staff at the unit will include a praedial larceny coordinator to provide administrative and policy support; and an administrative assistant.  

To further boost the work of the unit, LASCO Distributors Ltd also donated $4 million for the purchase of a Toyota Hilux motor vehicle.