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The Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management’s (DSWM) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigated an illegal dumping case in northwest Miami-Dade County, which resulted in the felony arrest of twin brothers.
An SIU officer was monitoring a live feed camera and witnessed three men allegedly remove appliances, furniture and other items from a truck and dump them onto the right-of-way. The SIU officer contacted the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), which dispatched a unit to the area to gather evidence and confirm that the truck on scene was the same as the one captured on video.
The driver of the truck was interviewed, and admitted to the dumping. The second man arrested was his twin brother, and the third, who was not found at the scene, was their younger brother.
“This situation is unfortunate, but these two brothers have now learned a harsh lesson,” said Olga Espinosa-Anderson, Interim DSWM Director. “Illegal dumping is a serious crime in Miami-Dade County, and if you do it, you will face a serious penalty.”
Illegal dumping can harm the environment and results in millions of dollars spent on enforcement and cleanup costs. The DSWM reminds residents that illegal dumping is both a crime in Miami-Dade County and is subject to fines, vehicle seizure, arrest and incarceration. In 2020, the Board of County Commissioners significantly increased fine amounts in an effort to deter illegal dumping.
Miami-Dade residents who witness illegal dumping in progress should call 911. Never confront someone who is dumping. Instead, attempt to get the vehicle license plate number or a description of the vehicle used to commit the crime. If an instance of illegal dumping has already taken place, call 311.
Illegal dumping can also be reported using the MDC Solid Waste mobile application for Apple iPhone and Android smartphone users. It’s available for download free of charge in the iTunes and Google Play stores.
For more on illegal dumping, visit the DSWM website at miamidade.gov/illegaldumping.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Videos of the alleged illegal dumping incident can be viewed and downloaded from here.
