Second Driver Caught Trying to Defraud California Container Recycling Program : Grand Theft & Recycling Fraud as Dodgy Drivers Caught in LA
For the second time in three months a driver operating a New Evolution Trucking vehicle has been caught illegally transporting used beverage containers into California from Nevada in an attempt to defraud the California Redemption Value Fund.
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) explained that the Los Angeles truck driver was arrested on charges of attempted grand theft and felony recycling fraud.
The department said that on February 16 this year agents with the California Department of Justice’s (CDOJ) Recycling Fraud Team conducted an investigation into a North Las Vegas storage yard with a history of trafficking used beverage containers into California.
The CDOJ investigates and prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of CalRecycle, which has administrative authority over the state’s beverage container recycling program
At 16.25 the agents were said to have observed a white semi-truck labelled “New Evolution Trucking” enter the storage yard. The truck and trucking company had been known to illegally transport used beverage containers in the past.
Agents then followed the truck as it departed at 22:42 and requested assistance from California Highway Patrol after the driver took a route which would avoid the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) border checkpoint in Yermo.
Carlos Flores, 36, of Los Angeles was stopped at 02:20 on 17 February. According to CalRecycle he did not have the bill of lading or Imported Material Report required to transport used beverage containers into California.
Flores was arrested, and his 53-foot tractor-trailer was impounded. A subsequent check of the materials inside revealed 7260 pounds (3300 kg) of aluminium and 3360 pounds (1500 kg) of plastic used beverage containers with a potential California Redemption Value of $15,464.
The department added that Flores was released on his own recognisance and is awaiting arraignment at the San Bernardino County Superior Court.
Read More
Report: California Beverage Container Recycling Payments Not Keeping Up with Market
Certified beverage container redemption centres in California lost $20 million in 2015 due to inadequate state payments received, according to a new report from the non-profit Container Recycling Institute.
rePlanet Closes 191 Recycling Centres in California
rePlanet, which runs California’s largest recycling network and works with numerous big retailers across the state, has closed 191 recycling centers and laid off 278 employees throughout California.
New York Gangster 'Papa Smurf' Guilty of Waste Industry RacketeeringTwo members of notorious New York Crime families have pleaded guilty for their roles in a criminal racketeering enterprise that encircled the citys waste hauling industry.
