Authorities in Northern Ireland have set up a new unit to crack down on criminal gangs from the Republic involved in illegal dumping north of the Border.
Tough new laws have been introduced to clamp down on the gangs that transport waste from the Republic to the north in a multi-million euro racket.
Vehicles used to transport refuse into Northern Ireland can now be impounded and their drivers hauled brought before the courts.
But those engaged in the scam are prepared to risk it for the huge profits on offer.
It is estimated that a 20 ton load of waste is worth €3,700, while illegal dumps being uncovered in the North contain thousands of tonnes of material.
According to the North's Department of Environment, the traffic in illegal waste is coming from as far away as counties such as Galway and Roscommon.
Up to two sites are being uncovered in Northern Ireland every week but the department believes this is only the tip of the iceberg. And not all the illicit rubbish being ferried across the border is being put into secret dumps.
The increasingly sophisticated gangs are using forged papers and northern number plates to dispose of thousands of tonnes of material in council owned landfill sites.
Late last year the DoE's Environmental Health Service (EHS), which took over responsibility for cross-border waste control, set up a special team within its Waste Management Unit to tackle the problem.
Before the change in legislation, local councils were responsible for cross-border waste control. In the past council staff were threatened or beaten up if they tried to take action against the criminals.
The EHS has been working with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department for Environment, Heritage and Local Government in Dublin.
PA