Illegal waste investigation sees £275k forfeited

Image source, West Mercia Police Image caption, Two men were arrested at an address in Worcestershire earlier in the year

Three businesses that are being investigated by police who are looking into illegal waste activity have forfeited a total of more than £275,000.

West Mercia Police said additional crimes had been identified in its investigation across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

The force added that more assets were under review and a money laundering investigation was still active.

It comes after two men were arrested at an address in Drakes Broughton, Worcestershire, in January. Six firearms were seized at that location, along with about £18,000 in cash.

Another location involved in the investigation was a farm in Peopleton, Worcestershire, where electrical goods suspected to be linked to money laundering were found.

Officers also recovered about £60,000 in cash and a suspected stolen car.

The police spokesperson said the investigation was still in progress due to "its complexity and the number of suspects involved".

Image source, West Mercia Police Image caption, More than £275,000 has been recovered from three businesses linked to the investigation

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said it had "already taken action at several sites" in Worcestershire.

"These sites remain part of ongoing criminal investigations and where we find evidence of criminal activity, we will take robust enforcement action against those responsible," they said.

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