标签： Jamaica

In a significant development in Jamaica’s fight against praedial larceny, Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has announced that the newly established Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) has more than doubled arrests related to farm theft in 2025. Launched on June 13, 2025, at the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Tactical Training Academy in Kingston, the APB focuses on surveillance, investigation, and stakeholder engagement to protect agricultural assets and support farmers.

Minister Green highlighted the substantial progress, noting that arrests for praedial larceny surged from 63 in January to September 2024 to 190 during the same period in 2025. Additionally, court cases increased from 137 to 263, and convictions rose dramatically from just two in 2024 to 32 in 2025. These figures underscore the effectiveness of the APB’s enhanced case preparation and operational strategies.

The APB has also made strides in recovering stolen farm goods, with recoveries doubling from $2 million in the first half of 2025 to $5 million after the branch became fully operational. Inspector Orville Bushay, head of the APB for Area One, emphasized that praedial larceny costs the country an estimated $14 billion annually, impacting food security, agricultural investment, and rural poverty.

Minister Green acknowledged that while progress has been made, the fight against praedial larceny remains a work in progress. He commended JCF Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake and Assistant Commissioner Oral Pascoe for their leadership and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers. Plans are underway to train and deploy agricultural wardens and utilize drone units for surveillance in vulnerable farming areas.

The JCF described the APB as a strategic imperative, emphasizing its role in developing specialized expertise in agricultural crime investigation and implementing proactive strategies such as increased patrols, community engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders to prevent losses before they occur.

Raymond Morrison, a Jamaican environmental advocate and communications professional, has been honored with the highly competitive Türkiye Burslari Scholarship. Funded by the Turkish government, this prestigious award provides comprehensive academic support to exceptional individuals committed to driving positive change in their communities and beyond. Morrison, a journalist and television presenter at CVM TV, was selected from a global pool of applicants to pursue a master’s degree in New Media and Communications Management with a focus on data science in Türkiye.

Morrison is the founder of ECHO (Environmental Conservation and Humanity’s Obligation), a non-profit initiative dedicated to educating and empowering communities to protect natural resources through coastal clean-ups, sustainability campaigns, and environmental education programs. His multifaceted career also includes hosting ‘Small Biz, Big Dreams,’ a television feature highlighting local entrepreneurs and their success stories.

Morrison views this scholarship as a transformative opportunity to merge his expertise in media and technology with his passion for environmental advocacy. ‘Media has the power to inspire action, shift narratives, and create a more sustainable future,’ he stated. His studies will explore the intersection of media, technology, and environmental conservation, emphasizing how digital tools and data-driven strategies can shape innovative solutions to global challenges.

In 2024, Morrison was recognized with the Humanitarian Award (Beauty with a Purpose) during Mr World Jamaica for his impactful work with ECHO. He believes his upcoming academic journey will equip him with the knowledge and skills to address pressing environmental issues in Jamaica and globally. ‘This is a chance to grow, learn, and bring back knowledge that can help tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges,’ he remarked. Morrison is set to commence his studies in Türkiye later this year, aiming to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.

In a tragic turn of events, Constable Ezroy Boothe, a police officer from St Elizabeth, Jamaica, has passed away following a severe motorcycle accident. The incident occurred on Friday evening along the Lacovia main road, where Boothe lost control of his private motorbike and collided with a pole. He sustained critical injuries, including multiple fractures to both legs, internal damage, and significant blood loss. Boothe was immediately rushed to Black River Hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death on Monday. Superintendent Coleridge Minto, head of the St Elizabeth police, had earlier appealed to the public for blood donations to aid Boothe’s recovery. Plans were also underway to transfer him to another medical facility for advanced treatment. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of one of their own, highlighting the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.

In a groundbreaking move to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property, UNESCO unveiled a virtual museum on Monday, showcasing hundreds of looted artefacts. The initiative aims to raise global awareness about the criminal trade that robs communities of their heritage. The digital platform, designed by acclaimed Burkina Faso-born architect Diebedo Francis Kere, features nearly 250 stolen items, including a Zambian ritual mask, a pendant from ancient Palmyra in Syria, and a painting by Swedish artist Anders Zorn. These objects, however, represent only a fraction of the estimated 57,000 items currently in circulation, according to Interpol’s database. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the museum’s unique role in educating the public about the devastating impact of this trade, which erases cultural memory, disrupts generational links, and impedes scientific progress. The platform allows visitors to explore the artefacts through detailed stories, testimonies, and photos, tracing their origins and significance. Sunna Altnoder, head of UNESCO’s unit for combating illicit trafficking, highlighted the broader mission: to eventually close the museum as stolen items are recovered and returned to their rightful communities. The initiative also seeks to foster collaboration among law enforcement, the judiciary, the art market, member states, and civil society to dismantle the criminal networks driving this trade.