Four people have been arrested in connection with an investigation into waste offences, fraud and money laundering after raids at three homes in Yorkshire.
A man and woman aged 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.
The raids took place on 4 April as part of a joint enforcement action involving the Environment Agency, Joint Unit for Waste Crime, and Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit. The investigations will continue with the evidence seized during last week’s operation.
We’re committed to working with our partner agencies to effectively investigate and relentlessly disrupt criminal activity.
Detective Chief Inspector Al Burns, of the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “We’re committed to working with our partner agencies to effectively investigate and relentlessly disrupt criminal activity. By working together, we can utilise our collective knowledge, experience and powers.”
The Environment Agency said the enquiries found the suspected fraud could be worth a multi-million-pound sum.
Commenting on the arrests, 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.”
