After being caught illegally dumping construction debris, Miami-Dade citizens are now facing felony charges from the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management. Because of the video cameras put in place following other instances in the neighborhood, the department’s Special Investigations Unit was able to apprehend the criminals in the act close to NW 74th Street and NW 12th Avenue.
The car’s license plate was simple to identify by investigators, which led to its detention and subsequent charges, according to a Miami-Dade County release.
Investigators were able to apprehend the suspects in the act when they returned with a truckload of rubbish for unlawful disposal thanks to additional surveillance.
Officers from the Miami-Dade Police Department responded quickly to this and took the culprits into custody. Under local law, the violation was considered a felony due to the frightening 120 cubic feet of discarded garbage.
Upon the driver’s admission, it was discovered that this was not their first infraction; six other instances of dumping had been discovered, leading to six different $250 citations with a $10 penalty each. According to a news statement from the Miami-Dade government , “illegal dumping is a serious crime that harms our environment and comes with heavy penalties,” stated Aneisha Daniel, PhD, Director of DSWM.
Miami-Dade spent around $1.7 million on enforcement and cleanup activities in 2023, demonstrating that the cost of unlawful dumping is not just quantified in terms of environmental harm but also in terms of money. It is advised that residents exercise caution and report any suspected unlawful dumping operations by calling 911 as soon as they occur or by using 311 in the case of previous incidents. The report advises the public to discreetly observe crucial information, such as license plates, rather than confront those involved in such actions.