Three persons were arrested and charged today after they were found with turtle meat and eggs in their possession in Montego Bay, St. James.  

At approximately 9:39 a.m. one of the charged men was seen poaching the turtle on the Rose Hall former Jazz and Blues Site. Upon further investigations, the man was found with turtle remains, turtle meat and eggs. The other two men were reported to have also been involved. The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and a Security Company further investigated the matter and found the accused men with a plastic bag containing turtle meat and eggs. 

The men have been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act 6, 8 and 12 which each carries a maximum fine of $100,000 or one year imprisonment. The trial has been set for November 15, 2010 at the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate Court. 

The NEPA and the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) have been clamping down on the trade in endangered and protected species and other illegal activities that threaten the environment. 

Members of the public are being encouraged to report any trade, hunting and killing of endangered species to the NEPA and ISCF.