Some of the debris which was left after police and representatives from the Portland Parish Council destroyed several stalls at the Musgrave market in Port Antonio, Portland. - Gareth Davis

At least a dozen vendors had their stalls demolished and goods seized by the police, during an operation yesterday at the Musgrave market in Port Antonio, Portland.

The operation was spearheaded by the Revenue Enforcement Unit from the Portland Parish Council, assisted by the police.

A large number of farm produce, including onions, oranges, mangoes, ripe bananas, vegetables and other fruits, were also seized from delinquent vendors. The police also seized several packages with marijuana and an undetermined sum of money.

A spokesperson for the vendors, who gave his name only as 'Copper Reds', blasted the action of the police and the council. He said he had been selling at that particular spot for more than 20 years, and he was in good standings with the parish council. He said vendors were angered by the exercise, as it is their livelihood, which allows them to feed and support their families.

"The police and the people from the parish council seized all our goods," he said. "We are law-abiding citizens and taxpayers, who have to support our families. Times are tough, and we are desperately trying to make ends meet, but today all of that has been shattered. Is thief them want us to thief?"

Mayor of Port Antonio Floyd reacted angrily and distanced himself from yesterday's exercise. The mayor argued that he was not aware of any plan to remove and demolish stalls, and that the manner in which it was carried raised some levels of concern.

He said plans were in place to have delinquent vendors relocated from the corridors of the market to inside the building, to facilitate repairs to its boundaries. He noted that he was still in shock as to how such an exercise took place without his knowledge and approval.