A “rolling programme of investigations and covert surveillance” is being rolled out by the Agency, which has already raided several illegal waste disposal sites in the region and arrested one man last week.
The Agency is investigating a North Wales waste company the “unlawful disposal of unknown types of waste to uncontrolled illegal landfill sites”.
An Agency spokesperson explained: “This is the biggest investigation of its type carried out by the Agency in North Wales. The investigation is ongoing and consideration is being given to appropriate enforcement action. The Agency hopes that by working closely with police forces, Customs and Excise, other enforcement agencies, site operators and with the help of the public it will reduce the amount of illegal waste disposal activities in North Wales.
Working with North Wales Police and HM Customs and Excise, Agency officers raided seven sites in Gwynedd and other locations nearby. They took away evidence from the sites for use in the ongoing investigations. The man who was arrested is now cooperating with the Welsh Environment Agency in its continuing enquiries.
It is expected that further warrants will be shortly issued to investigate further premises, and more arrests are expected. The Agency has insisted that the costs of cleaning-up the illegal waste sites will be met by those who have profited from the unlawful tipping.
The Agency spokesman said: “Businesses must use the proper waste disposal routes. Uncontrolled tipping of waste is an environmental crime, which poses a serious risk of pollution to the environment and may have an effect upon human health.
“It is hoped that this operation will send a clear warning message to those individuals who persistently undertake this criminal activity. The Agency aims to undertake similar covert surveillance operations in the future,” he added.
Specific details about individual cases were unavailable for legal reasons.
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