The arrest took place during a dawn operation yesterday (25 March 2026), led by the Environment Agency (EA) in partnership with West Midlands Police.
Officers detained the individual on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and laundering the proceeds of crime.
£2 million fraud scheme
Investigators believe that more than £2 million worth of packaging export credits were issued for exports of waste plastic packaging that may never have taken place.
Under the UK’s Packaging Producer Responsibility (PPR) regime, accredited exporters and reprocessors are permitted to generate and sell evidence notes – commonly referred to as credits – based on the amount of packaging waste they recycle or export overseas.
Producers are then required to purchase these credits to demonstrate compliance and contribute towards recycling costs.
However, in this case, authorities suspect that credits were fraudulently generated and sold without the corresponding physical movement or processing of waste material.
Officers from the EA’s Investigation and Disruption Team are continuing enquiries, with evidence gathered during the arrest now under assessment.
Lauren Pigg, Deputy Director for Waste Markets and Shipments at the EA, said: “This arrest sends a clear message to waste crooks – we will hunt you down.
“With West Midlands Police, we have been working relentlessly to progress this highly complex investigation and stop this fraudulent activity.”
Packaging fraud enforcement
Fraud within the packaging export system has been a growing concern for regulators in recent years.
According to the EA, export-related fraud is particularly difficult to detect, as it often involves complex international supply chains and documentation.
The enforcement body has increasingly focused resources on tackling such financial and organised waste crime and published a new Waste Crime Action Plan last week (19 March 2026).
The plan sets out a commitment to intervene earlier, strengthen intelligence-led enforcement, and deliver more consistent regulatory action.
As part of this plan, the agency has received a £45 million funding boost.
Pigg added: “Through our new 10 Point Plan, we will take the fight to waste criminals by acting faster and putting an end to the damage they cause to our communities and environment.”
