'New drug'

UK police label illegal waste a "new drug", underscoring the substantial profits it generates. Compared to drug trafficking, waste crime offers more appeal due to low risks and significant returns. Criminal gangs incur no sourcing costs, avoid capital punishment, and confront only the Environment Agency, a force often constrained by staff and budget. Annually, the volume of illegally dumped waste in the UK is estimated to be enough to fill Wembley Stadium 35 times.

An illegal dump in Worcestershire stretches over 90 meters and reaches nearly 21 meters high, equivalent to the space of 8 large houses. *Photo: Dailymail*

Marcus Hughes, 55, exemplifies this new generation of criminals: sophisticated, wealthy, and dangerous.

To the local community, Hughes presented himself as a successful entrepreneur, co-founding a major transport company and boasting about million-dollar contracts with Amazon in the press. In reality, Hughes orchestrated an illegal waste dumping empire. With two accomplices, he illegally disposed of over 26,000 tons of waste across 17 unauthorized sites, ranging from derelict land to rented farmland, before absconding.

From this single operation, Hughes illicitly gained over 2,7 million GBP, evading taxes and burdening victims with a 3,2 million GBP cleanup bill. In January, Hughes received an additional 30-month prison sentence for environmental offenses. However, he had previously been incarcerated for a more serious crime: money laundering.

Instead of transporting goods, Hughes' trucks were used to collect cash from criminal gangs, totaling 45 million GBP. The recipient of these funds was Craig Johnson, a fraudster living in exile in Dubai. From the UK's illegal dumps, dirty money flowed to financial havens, funding lavish lifestyles with supercars and yachts for the kingpins. This connection was only exposed when French police decrypted the encrypted messaging system, EncroChat.

Law of silence and violence

These gangs are not only sophisticated but also ready to use violence. An anonymous resident reported receiving threats after attempting to report trucks dumping waste in a field near their home. The threatening message read, "Shut up or we'll come for you."

Ms. Sheehan, Chair of the UK House of Lords Environment Committee, expressed shock at the scale of this black market. According to her, the proliferation of waste crime is partly due to an overly lax licensing system. "Anyone can register as a waste carrier. Some have even tried registering a dead dog or a goldfish and still succeeded," Ms. Sheehan stated, clearly frustrated.

Last year alone, the number of illegal dumps in the UK rose from 344 to 451. Without significant reforms, UK officials worry the nation risks mirroring Italy, where the mafia has gained complete control over waste disposal.

Bao Nhien (According to Dailymail)