Eight people have been taken into police custody, following the discovery of an illegal slaughterhouse, along Big Lane, in Central Village, St. Catherine yesterday.

During a cross-border, anti-praedial larceny operation between the St. Catherine North and South police divisions, lawmen discovered over 40 goat carcasses and several live animals confined to makeshift pens.

Police say the goats are believed to be stolen.

Head of the Area 5 Police Senior Superintendent Christopher Phillips, who described the area as a dump, said the slaughterhouse was operating in violation of public health regulations.

Meanwhile, Acting Head of the St. Catherine North police, Senior Superintendent Hopton Nicholson is imploring citizens to exercise extreme vigilance when sourcing meat products, particularly during the holiday season.