The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), is investigating whether officials ignored reports of environmental breaches along the banks of the Cabarita River in Westmoreland.

In a statement on Wednesday, Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) called for sanctions to be imposed on contractors responsible for the unlawful cutting of trees along the river.

JET had also noted that residents made reports to NEPA in February but the agency only took action last Tuesday.

Chief Executive Officer of NEPA, Peter Knight told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre that an investigation has been launched into the reports.

Meanwhile, NEPA has issued Enforcement Notices on the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Sugar Transformation Unit in relation to the illegal activity.

Permanent secretary in the ministry, Donovan Stanberry has said some of the work carried out was outside the scope of a contract issued for draining cleaning.

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