Thirty-five sheep and seven goats were euthanised after authorities intercepted a shipment of illegally imported livestock in Cedros, Trinidad that officials say was infected with a communicable disease.

The operation, carried out on Sunday by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services Division, targeted suspected illegal activity along the Cedros/Icacos coastline in south-western Trinidad.

Police said officers conducting surveillance around 8:30 am observed a vessel hastily leaving the area before intercepting a wheel tractor emerging from a forested section near the shoreline with a trailer carrying livestock.

The tractor and trailer were escorted to the Cedros Police Station, where officers counted 35 sheep and seven goats.
According to the TTPS, the animals were examined by the Chief Veterinary Officer for St Patrick, who determined they were suffering from an infectious disease.
Authorities said all animals were humanely euthanised between May 17 and May 18 in keeping with national biosecurity protocols.
Two people are currently assisting investigators.
Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro warned that illegal livestock importation poses a serious threat to public health, national food security and the livelihoods of local farmers.
He said persons attempting to bypass lawful importation procedures would face “decisive enforcement action,” adding that smuggling animals into the country could expose Trinidad and Tobago to highly contagious livestock diseases, zoonotic infections and unsafe meat entering the market.
The TTPS is urging members of the public, particularly in coastal communities, to report suspicious maritime activity, unusual livestock movements near beaches or forested coastal areas, or attempts to sell undocumented animals.