More than £275,000 forfeited so far in ongoing waste crime investigation

Officers have today (Thursday 23 July) revealed that a total of £275,532.58 has been forfeited so far as part of an ongoing investigation linked to illegal waste site activity in Worcestershire.

Two men were arrested in the series of warrants carried out at locations across the West Mercia Police force area, led by specialist economic crime officers with support from neighbourhood policing teams back in January.

Specialist resources, including Task Force rapid entry officers and specially trained digital detection dogs, supported the operation targeting locations including a farm in Peopleton in Pershore and an address in Drakes Broughton, near Pershore.

Searches were made at further addresses by West Mercia Police in partnership with the Environment Agency, DVSA, Wychavon District Council and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS).

Those arrested were bailed and have been helping police with their enquiries as part of this continuing and complex investigation. Further suspects have also been interviewed.

Pictures from the warrants executed in January

Today, Detective Constable Steven Screen from West Mercia’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU), provided an update on the work carried out so far.

DC Screen said: “This investigation is still ongoing due to its complexity and the number of suspects involved.

“So far £275,532.58 has been forfeited by three of the businesses under investigation by our Economic Crime Unit (ECU) using Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) legislation. This money has been passed to the Home Office.

“More assets are still under review, and a money laundering investigation is still active.

“Additional crimes have also been identified since the warrants were executed in January and are being dealt with by colleagues in other police departments and our partner agencies.”