Residents living in south and east Tyrone are being urged to contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is they see any suspicious activity in relation to the disposal of illegal waste.

Known as 'Operation Teak', the NIEA has produced leaflets for 1,200 households and businesses living within a three kilometre radius of four known illegal waste sites.

The areas include Ballygawley, Sandholes and two sites in the Galbally area. Significant waste deposits were found at these sites, both buried and above ground.

-- Advertisement --

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: "Illegal waste disposal is allowing criminals to profit whilst destroying our countryside. When waste is dumped it can have a detrimental impact on the surrounding environment. The criminals dumping this waste are profiting whilst our environment is suffering. This must stop."

Mr Derek Williamson from NIEA's Environmental Crime Unit said: "We believe that local knowledge could be key here. This is why we are going directly to local people through a leaflet drop which will hopefully help us to fill in intelligence gaps and assist the current investigation."

(CD)