FALMOUTH, Trelawny – The Transport Authority has called in the police to commence a probe of a multimillion-dollar racket involving the theft of vehicle parts, including engines, at the pound in Falmouth, Trelawny.

“The police have been advised. We have asked the police to do a thorough investigation and the police are currently treating with the investigation with respect of the affected vehicles,” managing director of the Transport Authority Ralston Smith told the Jamaica Observer.

The pound is located in proximity to the Falmouth Police Station.

According to Smith, the irregularities were discovered during an audit at the pound after the security firm was recently replaced at the facility.

“We made the discovery just after change of the security arrangement. All our pound are covered 24 hours islandwide by security firms and we discovered, subsequent from changing from one security firm to another, that a number of vehicles at our pound facility, engines among other parts, went missing,” Smith said.

“Subsequent to that, we had our auditors conduct an audit of the vehicles at the pound,” he added.

“The Transport Authority, as a reputable organisation, ensures that it employs security companies for all of the location and a part of the security contract is that the security company is responsible for the safekeeping of those vehicles whilst in their custody.”

A senior member of staff at the Falmouth Police Station confirmed that the police received a report of the racket and a probe is expected to be launched.

Meanwhile, Smith told the Observer that parts are missing from 70 per cent of the over 30 vehicles impounded at the facility.

The Transport Authority will now review the security at all of the pounds they operate across the island.