Barbados is confronting a significant organized crime operation targeting its agricultural sector following the theft of approximately 10,000 pounds of yams from the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC). The sophisticated theft occurred between the evening of January 2, 2026, and the early morning of January 5, 2026, marking one of several coordinated incidents across St. Philip and St. John parishes during that weekend.
The Barbados Police Service has launched a comprehensive investigation into the large-scale agricultural thefts that are depriving local farmers of their livelihoods and causing substantial financial damage estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Authorities have alerted vendors and retailers to exercise extreme vigilance when approached with yam supplies, particularly given the commodity’s limited availability on the island.
In response to the criminal operation, BADMC has issued stringent guidelines for large-scale purchasers. Those buying more than 100 pounds of yams are urged to demand formal invoices, verify sellers’ identities through valid Farmers’ Identification cards or Barbados National Identification Cards, and obtain confirmation of the farm origin for all produce. These measures are designed to create an audit trail that will assist law enforcement in identifying the perpetrators.
The situation has drawn commentary from Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security Indar Weir, who emphasized the critical role of public cooperation in combating praedial larceny (agricultural theft). Minister Weir stressed that existing laws require consistent enforcement and community participation to be effective, noting that tolerance of black market produce sales ultimately enables continued criminal activity.
BADMC is actively encouraging citizens to assist authorities in dismantling these organized theft networks that threaten both food security and agricultural sustainability in Barbados.