Two St Catherine residents fined for transporting pineapples without required receipts

Two St Catherine residents have been fined $200,000 each or sentenced to 30 days in prison after pleading guilty to transporting 180 pineapples without the required receipts.

Joan Betty and Richard Williams were fined during a hearing before the St Catherine Parish Court on Tuesday. 

Betty was fined $200,000 or sentenced to 30 days imprisonment for failure to produce a receipt, while Williams received the same penalty for failure to issue one.

The court heard that in late April, Betty was driving her vehicle when she was stopped by the police. Officers observed that the vehicle was laden with pineapples.

When questioned about ownership and how the produce was acquired, Betty reportedly said she had purchased the items.

Police requested a Rural Agricultural Development Authority receipt as proof of purchase, but none was provided.

Betty was arrested, and further investigations led to the apprehension of Williams, who allegedly supplied the fruit.

Both were charged under the Agricultural Produce Act (2023), which carries a maximum penalty of $3 million or three years imprisonment.

Both defendants pleaded guilty before Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Alleyne.

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