KINGSTON, Jamaica — Men observed on a video killing a turtle in Nine Miles Bull Bay in St Andrew on June 6, have been arrested and charged for breaches under the Wildlife Protection Act, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has reported.

NEPA, in a release the afternoon, said that the arrest was made during a joint police operation, conducted by the Counter Terrorism & Organised Crime (C-TOC), the Mobile Reserve and the Motorised Patrol Division in the parish.

The men have been granted bail in the sum of $100,000 and are scheduled to appear in the Half Way Tree Parish Court on August 22.

NEPA Director, Legal & Enforcement, Morjorn Wallock, commended the “high level investigation undertaken by C-TOC’s Special Investigation Unit, and the Kingston Eastern police.”

“NEPA is pleased with the hard work that C-TOC has done to guarantee a prosecution of the matter,” said Wallock.

“We will continue to be vigilant and take strong enforcement action against any individual that harms any of Jamaica’s protected species, and breaches the nation’s environmental and planning laws.”

According to Wallock, if the men are found guilty, they will be liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 or face a term of imprisonment not exceeding twelve months.

Meanwhile, the public is being encouraged to report potential breaches of Jamaica’s environmental and planning laws by calling NEPA at (876) 754-7540 or toll-free (888) 991-5005.