Waste crime investigation in Worcestershire sees over £275,000 forfeited
It follows warrants carried out in January at a farm in Peopleton and an address in Drakes Broughton, near Pershore, where two men were arrested
More than £275,000 has been forfeited so far as part an ongoing waste crime investigation in Worcestershire.
Two men were arrested in January at an address in Drakes Broughton, after series of warrants were carried out at locations across the West Mercia force area.
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 have been bailed and have been helping police with their enquiries as part of what West Mercia Police say is a "continuing and complex investigation."
The force added that further suspects have also been interviewed.
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.”