The Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has more than tripled the number of arrests for agricultural-related crimes in its first year of operation.

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green gave the update during the recent launch of the Heifer Redistribution programme at Serge Island Dairies in St Thomas. The APB was launched in June 2025 as a specialised unit designed to combat praedial larceny and protect agricultural livelihoods and national food security.

“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. He also noted the increase in convictions from arrests.