Two men have been arrested by members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) for allegedly removing sand from a beach in Portland.

Dennis McFarlane from Port Antonio and Christopher Anderson of St Margaret's Bay, both in Portland, are charged with illegal sand mining.

Reports reaching THE STAR are that during a recent operation, the men were caught removing sand from the Rio Grande near Burlington in the Snow Hill district of western Portland.

It is understood that two heavy-duty trucks were also seized in the operation.

Both men are scheduled to appear before the Port Antonio Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, January 24.