The arrests were carried out on 5 February 2026 as part of a joint operation between Environment Agency (EA) officers and the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).
A 54-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman were detained during coordinated raids earlier this week.
Both suspects were interviewed and have since been released pending further investigation.
The EA said evidence gathered during the arrests will be used to support further enforcement action as the investigation continues.
‘Those responsible will be pursued’
According to the EA, the arrests form part of a large-scale, ongoing inquiry into waste crime, fraud and money laundering.
The wider investigation has already resulted in seven arrests across England, including two individuals detained in Manchester last month.
Emma Viner, Enforcement and Investigations Manager at the EA, said the latest action demonstrated the regulator’s continued focus on tackling serious waste crime.
She commented: “Waste crime is completely unacceptable, and we are clear that those responsible will be pursued.
“Acting with the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit, we have worked tirelessly to secure two more arrests in this complex investigation and to help bring an end to disgraceful criminal activity.”
Further arrests for waste crime
The illegal dumping under investigation is understood to involve multiple sites across three counties, highlighting the organised and cross-border nature of some waste crime operations.
The EA has warned that such activity can cause significant environmental damage, undermine legitimate waste businesses and generate large illicit profits.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds added: “With five waste crime arrests in just seven days, we’ve shown that those responsible for these appalling crimes will be tracked down and held to account.
“This is just part of the action we’re taking to stamp out this type of criminality across the country, including boosting funds to tackle waste crime, hiring more officers, introducing tougher checks and handing out tougher sentences for those who break the law.”
Three people were also arrested over the last week in connection to the waste dumping in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.
They have all since been released on conditional bail pending further investigation.
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