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Illegal waste carriers operation in Sittingbourne leads to arrest

20:37, 13 December 2021

updated: 11:24, 14 December 2021

A joint operation at a waste site in Sittingbourne has led to an arrest.

Two 27-year-old men from Sheppey, were detained initially in relation to a suspected drug offence.

A man was arrested during the operation. Stock picture
A man was arrested during the operation. Stock picture

One of them was issued a penalty notice for disorder for possession of cannabis.

The other was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs, but has been released under investigation pending forensic results.

The operation saw officers search numerous lorries, as well scrap metal and waste vehicles, to tackle illegal waste carriers around Swale.

It was a joint work between Kent Police and Swale Borough Council’s environmental enforcement team, the Environment Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

The initiative also saw drivers of two vehicles issued with a fine for failing to produce waste transfer notices and a vehicle removed for not having insurance.

Police joined forces with Swale Borough Council's environmental enforcement team, the Environment Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Stock picture
Police joined forces with Swale Borough Council's environmental enforcement team, the Environment Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Stock picture

Police Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police’s rural taskforce, said: "This was a successful operation in which we stopped and searched any suspected contaminated or illegal waste carriers.

"As well as the arrests we were also able to use the operation to gather important data which can be used by the other organisations as part of ongoing work to help combat this type of criminality."

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