According to the Agency the action follows an investigation into illegal dumping of potentially hazardous waste at illegal sites in Bristol, Scunthorpe and in Newark, Nottinghamshire.
The Agency stated that the sites have all operated outside of any permits and have resisted enforcement action, with tens of thousands of tonnes of waste thought to have been stored across the locations.
Four of the arrests were made for suspected waste offences, while two of the arrests were for suspected human trafficking after 17 migrant workers from Europe were found.
Of the six arrests, three were carried out by Humberside police which arrested two men aged 37 and 43 on suspicion of trafficking, while a third man was arrested on suspicion of environmental offences.
Nottinghamshire Police has confirmed that it made one arrest following the raid at the site at Browbridge Road in Newark. A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to permit or cause the deposit of controlled waste.
Investigation
Yesterday’s raids were carried out as a result of the Agency’s investigation into the illegal waste activities in Orpington which had been run by operators Waste4Fuel, codenamed Operation Encore (see letsrecycle.com story).
The Agency claims that intelligence it had gathered indicated that people connected with the Orpington site are linked to suspected environmental criminality at the sites where the raids were carried out yesterday.
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The police were deployed to support with arrests, access properties and assist with collecting evidence. The Home Office Immigration Enforcement and Social Services were also involved as part of the multi-agency operation, due to the suspected presence of illegal workers at the sites.
The six people arrested have all been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries. The investigation is ongoing and the Agency claims that it is likely to take many more months to complete.
No link has been drawn between the Waste4Fuel site and the suspected illegal workers.
Andy Higham, head of the Environment Agency’s National Investigation Team, said: “The Environment Agency will relentlessly target organised criminals who risk damaging health, livelihoods and the environment by trading in illegal and hazardous waste for criminal gain.
“Following a covert Environment Agency investigation we have worked with the police to arrest these suspects and secure evidence. Our enquiries will continue to probe the full extent of suspected offending.”
Commenting on yesterday’s action resource management minister Dan Rogerson, said: “Waste crime causes problems for local communities, undermines legitimate businesses and costs taxpayers. While it is not appropriate to comment on these arrests, we support the Environment Agency in taking a robust approach to tackle crime.”
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