More than 130 stolen animals were recovered during a major operation conducted by the Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit in Clarendon on Monday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Assan Thompson is reported that over 60 heads of cattle, and 70 goats were recovered by the police.

"I was forced to send the mobile reserve, overnight (to maintain custody of the animals). The reports coming to me a short while ago is that the animals are safe. So, during the course of the day, we will have them taken to a safe location," he said.

ACP Thompson made the disclosure while addressing a vehicle-handover ceremony at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, at its Hope Gardens location in St Andrew, on Tuesday.

In addition to this latest breakthrough, the unit has been recording substantial successes, such as almost weekly arrests, since it was established within the Ministry of Agriculture three months ago.

Citing a recent case, state minister for agriculture, labour and social security, Luther Buchanan, noted that from May 8 to May 15, two operations were conducted in Clarendon, where two alleged pig thieves were arrested and 21 persons were charged for various offences.

"We believe we have got the right formula to help stem this scourge of praedial larceny. Our officers are working in conjunction with a network of their colleagues in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and they have access to law enforcement resources islandwide, so we have Jamaica covered," he said.

In the meantime, the state minister further welcomed donation of the vehicle to the unit by the Lasco Affiliated Companies, which, he said, will help in the Government's relentless drive to combat praedial larceny.

Executive chairman of the Lasco Affiliated Companies, Lascelles Chin, said his company was pleased to have been able to donate the Toyota pickup valued at more than $4 million.

The Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit was launched March 12. Its work falls within the ambit of the Ministry of Agriculture, but its operations are executed under the direct responsibility of the officer in charge of all geographical divisions JCF.