A civilian employee of the Jamaica Defence Force has been arrested and charged after being found in possession of a quantity frozen chicken.
The identity of the accused has not been released.
In a statement, the JDF said it is aware of an ongoing investigation by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) into the alleged unlawful possession of property reportedly linked to a food consignment delivered to the JDF.
The JDF said it was informed that, during enquiries conducted by the JCF, a quantity of frozen chicken products bearing identifiers associated with the consignment delivered to the JDF was recovered from two civilians, one of whom is a civilian employee of the JDF.
The matter has resulted in criminal charges being laid and remains before the courts.
The JDF said it is cooperating fully with the JCF and has commenced its own internal investigation to establish all relevant facts surrounding the matter and to identify any additional measures necessary to further strengthen existing accountability and oversight mechanisms.
The JDF said the civilian employee involved is entitled to the full protection of the law, including the presumption of innocence, until the matter is determined by the courts.
The force assured that accountability and transparency remain central to its operations.
It said any military or civilian employee found to be involved in criminal activity, misconduct, theft, fraud, collusion, or the unlawful diversion of JDF property will face administrative, disciplinary, and / or criminal action, as appropriate.
Anyone with information relating to the theft, diversion, misuse, or unlawful sale of JDF property is being encouraged to report such information to the appropriate authorities.
