The two men arrested in a nationwide waste crime investigation earlier this month have been “released under further investigation”.
The Metropolitan Police were involved in the joint investigation
And, the Environment Agency has also confirmed that no further arrests have been made.
The EA had announced that the arrests were made as part of a nationwide waste crime investigation, a joint operation by the Environment Agency, the Metropolitan Police Service and Government Agency Intelligence Network last month (see letsrecycle.com story).
A 29-year-old man and a 46-year-old man were arrested in their homes in Chelsea and Hampstead Heath and had their properties searched. They have since been released under further investigation.
‘Released under investigation’ was introduced as part of the Police and Crime Act 2017. All suspects released under investigation are issued with a notice outlining offences that could lead to further police action while police enquiries continue.
This replaced ‘on bail’ before facing possible charges, so individuals will be released without bail and instead are ‘under investigation’, unless specific criteria are met.
Following the arrests, Environment Agency team leader Mark Rumble said last month: “These arrests are part of extremely serious organised crime activity, which involves the dumping of illegal waste, fraud and money laundering across the country. We are working closely with partners to share intelligence on illegal waste activity to ensure the culprits are brought to justice.”
The Environment Agency also took the opportunity to remind land and property owners what to look out for, including checking empty land regulars and carrying out rigorous checks on prospective and new tenants.
The involvement of GAIN, the Government Agency Intelligence Network, is seen as a signal of the seriousness which waste crime is now being taken across various public authorities. GAIN is described as “a multi-agency group that brings together intelligence and investigation staff from public sector enforcement agencies to lawfully share information, intelligence and conduct joint investigations directed at reducing the threat, harm and risk associated with serious and organised crime.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com General
