The third undercover operation in California this year designed to catch illegal haulers who are willing to transport hazardous waste without benefit of insurance, license or authorizations from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has led to the prosecution of eight haulers for crimes related to the illegal transportation of hazardous waste in a joint effort with Ventura County officials.

The suspects were charged with various crimes, which included transporting hazardous waste without valid registration, without insurance and without proper shipping documents. Such violations of the law are punishable with fines and up to one year in jail. Additionally, three suspects had their vehicles impounded.

Charges were filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s office against eight individuals. This sting operation was a cooperative effort between DTSC’s Criminal Investigations Branch, Ventura County District Attorney’s office, Ventura City Police Department, Ventura County Environmental Health Division-Hazardous Materials/ CUPA Program and the Ventura County Fire Department.

In Ventura County, criminal investigators with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control contacted individuals/ companies who were identified by the health department as illegal haulers of hazardous waste or who advertised their ability to do hauling.

After verifying that these individuals/companies didn’t possess valid registrations to transport hazardous waste, the DTSC investigators set up appointments with these individuals to pick up and dispose of 850 pounds of flammable hazardous waste.

Most of the individuals transported the waste without appropriately securing the load, having appropriate insurance to cover the transportation of hazardous waste, using a California Uniform Hazardous Waste manifest, appropriately labeling the hazardous waste, having a hazardous materials endorsement, and/or having an emergency response guide for the hazardous waste. Three individuals didn’t possess valid driver’s licenses. One suspect was found to have open containers of alcohol in his vehicle.

Business-generated hazardous waste must generally be transported by a registered hazardous waste transporter, and a California Uniform Hazardous Waste manifest must be used. This helps track shipments and ensures the proper disposal of hazardous waste. Through the proper handling of hazardous waste, threats to public health and the degradation of the environment can be avoided, according to DTSC.