A collaborative effort between officers of the Praedial Larceny Squad and farmers of Manzanilla, led to the dismantling of a coconut stealing ring on Monday 12th August 2024.
After weeks of surveillance, the hard work and dedication of the team paid off, with the confiscating of close to three thousand coconuts and the arrest of the main suspect.
The suspect who is a registered farmer of Valencia, was nabbed by a team of officers from the Praedial Larceny Squad which was led by Inspector Birbal and included Sergeant Jeffers, WPC Beharry and WPC Gomes.
On Monday, a farmer in the area spotted the man after he had collected several crocos bags of stolen coconuts and placed them into his vehicle.
The farmer immediately contacted the Praedial Larceny Squad and the team of officers responded. The officers requested of the man a memorandum of sale or delivery in respect of the said items as required under the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act
He was however unable to do so.
After failing to give a lawful account as to how the coconuts came into his possession, the 36 year old was arrested and taken to the Mayaro Police Station, where he was charged by WPC Beharry. He will appear before a Mayaro Magistrate on Thursday. Meanwhile, officers say that more arrests are imminent.