"I received fertilizer around October 2020 and planted onions around November, but the onions do not grow until June 2021. I suffered a loss worth 60 million won by ruining the farming, but I am crying tears of blood. I have not been able to plant crops yet."
- Victim farmers
A gang has been arrested for secretly landfilling waste on land by tricking farmers into claiming it was fertilizer and making a huge illegal profit.
The reason why crops such as onions did not grow for several years was because of 'illegal waste' that was spread knowing that it was fertilizer.
The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency arrested 5 people, including CEO A (60s) of a waste treatment company, on charges of illegally dumping 20,000 tons (t) of waste from business sites on farmland (violation of the Waste Management Act, etc.), and arrested a retired civil servant Mr. B (60s). It was announced today (16th) that 15 people were booked without detention.
From March 2020 to May 2020, they received requests from 51 businesses to treat 190,000 tons of waste, of which 20,700 tons (the equivalent of 800 25-ton trucks) were distributed to farmers in Gunwi, Yeongcheon, and Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province. He is accused of illegally disposing of industrial waste by tricking him into supplying it as fertilizer or secretly landfilling it on his land.
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It turned out that the proceeds of crime acquired in this way were worth 1.3 billion won.
It was investigated that they systematically participated in illegal activities by systematically sharing their roles, such as general manager of administrative affairs with the representative of the company, landfill site search, waste transportation, landfill, civil complaint resolution, and legal advice.
Among the suspects were two organized gangsters in Gyeongbuk, a former vice-chairman of the county council, a former environmental bureau chief at the city hall, and a former prosecutor's office director.
In particular, the former prosecution secretary was charged with violating the Lawyers Act after it was confirmed that he provided legal advice in exchange for money in the case under investigation.
In addition, in order to preserve the proceeds of crime, we applied for pre-indictment collection and preservation of 960 million won, including real estate and movable property owned by the suspect, and bank deposits
.
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The police obtained a criminal intelligence that 'organized gangs are involved in corporate-type illegal waste landfill', and after an intensive eight-month investigation, it was revealed that they confirmed the entire crime
.
We will actively crack down on corporate and intelligent illegal activities, such as illegal businesses that may become a source of funds for violent organizations,” he said. "We are experiencing enormous damage, so we have notified the administration of the results of the investigation so that the local government can restore the situation and take measures to restore the damage."
Meanwhile, according to the Waste Management Act, landfilling or incineration of wastes is prohibited in places other than permitted, approved, and reported waste treatment facilities.
Failure to do so is punishable by imprisonment for up to 7 years or a fine of up to 70 million won.
※ Preservation of collection before indictment:
In accordance with the 'Act on the Regulation and Punishment of Concealment of Criminal Proceeds', crimes such as blocking the will of criminals to conceal or dispose of property by exploiting the long time taken from the case sent to the prosecution until the trial is finalized It is a system that is carried out with the purpose of prevention.
(Photo = Provided by Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, Yonhap News)