US authorities make arrests in recycling theft cases

LOS ANGELES (Scrap Monster):  Alleged crooks on both US coasts have been caught trying to make some quick cash thanks to plastics recycling.

Police in Miami-Dade County, Florida, said they broke up what was described as an organised theft ring that allegedly stole more than $1.5m (£1.07m)-worth of plastic crates from shops.

Those crates were then allegedly delivered to “several clandestine grinders throughout Miami-Dade, which identified themselves as plastic recycling centres, in return for cash”, the police said.

A total of 20 people were arrested in that case and face criminal racketeering charges and multiple civil penalties, police said.

Meanwhile, a Los Angeles truck driver was arrested on charges of attempted grand theft and felony recycling fraud for allegedly trying to illegally transport used beverage containers (UBCs) into the state.

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery said this is the second time in three months that somebody operating a New Evolution Trucking vehicle has been nabbed.

CalRecycle said Carlos Flores, 36, was stopped off Interstate 15 in Barstow on 17 February and discovered to have 3,360 pounds (1,524kg) of plastic UBCs as well as 7,260 pounds (3,293kg) of aluminum UBCs.

Those containers potentially were worth $15,464 (£11,000), thanks to California’s container deposit system.

Courtesy: www.prw.com