Beekeeper offers reward for stolen bees

Lance Gordon, a beekeeper, is offering a $10,000 reward for information that will lead to the recovery of his bees.

Gordon told THE STAR that his bees were stolen from his Nine Miles, Bull Bay, apiary two weeks ago.

"I normally visit my apiaries every two weeks. Last Wednesday ( June 5), I decided to do my routine inspection, that's when I found out that they have stolen 28 colonies of bees," he said,

Adding that the bees are valued at more than $1million.

Gordon said he has since reported the matter to the Nine Miles Police Station, and the Apiary Unit within the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA).

The police confirmed that a report was made and said they are currently investigating the matter.

But Gordon is hoping that his reward will sweeten things up.

"Chances are somebody saw something, so I want to give a $10,000 reward for information regarding the whereabouts of my bees, and for people to be alert. It just may be that the neighbour of the thieves saw them moving boxes two weeks ago, and make a call," he said.

He told THE STAR that he's been a beekeeper for 35 years, and this wasn't the first time he's been robbed.

"I was robbed back in 2001, but they only stole 10 to 15 boxes. But when a man thief 28 colonies a bees from anybody, that's like losing a child," he said. "When you can go in and steal a bunch of banana, or a cow, it different. But bees sting. So it'd have to be a trained person to move so much bees."