Around the world the story is the same, the criminals, the lowlifes, the gangsters use waste as a lucrative source of income to fund their lifestyles. We see it in the USA – there is an ongoing trial in California.
New IRA involved in tyre dumping in County Tyrone
We see it in Australia. We know about the Ecopneus work with the police to combat organised crime in Naples and throughout Italy. We have seen reports of criminals reselling tyres that were supposed to have been recycled. We have seen it in Germany. We see it unabated in the UK, and now the New IRA are involved in Northern Ireland.
Let us all be clear rogue tyre collectors are criminals, either a man with a van looking to make a quick buck, or those with more nefarious intent such as the terrorists of the New IRA.
Wherever we are in the world, we need to think more about our waste tyres and make sure that the people we deal with are above board.
When retailers take the cheapest collection service from an unauthorised collector, or in some cases an Exempt operator, they may not just be saving a few pounds or dollars, they may be helping fund anything from tax evasion through drug running to terrorist activities.
In Northern Ireland, Detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit have arrested a 42-year-old man in the Cookstown area.
They said it was connected to an investigation into criminal activity linked to the East Tyrone New IRA.
Detective Inspector Martin Cush said: “The arrest was in connection with the illegal disposal of tyres by East Tyrone New IRA and associated criminal enterprises for the purposes of terrorist funding.
“His arrest follows the arrest of two men aged 41 and 42 on Wednesday, August 5, after officers conducted four searches and uncovered a substantial sum of cash concealed in a recycling bin and safe.
“The cash was seized for further examination and the two men later released following questioning.
“Where possible, we will continue to disrupt violent dissident republicans but need help from the public in tackling their criminal activities.
“They are reckless, manipulative and they exploit their own communities. Our objective is to keep people safe and protect them from these violent groups and any information we receive can increase our chances of success. Policing with the community is at the heart of what we do.”
Source: Belfast Newsletter
