Four people have been arrested in connection with an investigation into waste offences, fraud and money laundering after raids at three homes in Yorkshire.
The raids involved the Environment Agency, Joint Unit for Waste Crime and Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, but enquiries so far indicate the fraud suspected by the individuals and companies under investigation has resulted in a multi-million pound financial benefit.
Four people – a man and woman in their 20s from Leeds, a man in his 50s from Doncaster, and a man in his 30s from Calderdale were arrested in connection with the investigation, and evidence including digital devices were seized.
The arrests relate to two ongoing investigations being carried out by the Environment Agency and Joint Unit for Waste Crime into fraud, money laundering and offences under the producer responsibility regulations.
Producer responsibility is about making sure businesses that manufacture, import and sell products such as electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and scrap vehicles are responsible for their end-of-life environmental impact.
Anyone defrauding the system and receiving financial benefit are taking money away from legitimate businesses and funding that should be invested in improving the UK’s recycling infrastructure.
Emma Viner, enforcement & investigations manager at the Environment Agency said: “We are thoroughly following and interrogating the evidence gathered during the raids to progress our ongoing investigation.
“Enquiries of this nature are complex and the financial benefit can be substantial. Our overall aim is to bring those involved to justice and remove the financial benefit made through committing crime.”
