Three new Agricultural Crime Unit (ACU) Special Agents have been commissioned in Tennessee, bringing the unit to full staffing of nine special agents and one Special Agent in Charge.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) ACU is a team of law enforcement officers charged with investigating and enforcing state laws related to agriculture, forestry, animal health, and agribusinesses in Tennessee. Additionally, ACU is the chief agency responsible for investigation of suspected wildland arson.
Since July 1, 2023, ACU has investigated 395 cases and offenses statewide. More than half of the 85 cases investigated in October were livestock cruelty cases. Other farm crimes and criminal activity on state forest lands make up the case load.