MDSO Cracks Down on Illegal Trailer Park Dumping Human Waste in Redlands

Environmental Crimes Unit Mobilizes

• 🚨 The Miami Dade Sheriff's Office Environmental Crimes Unit is actively addressing illegal dumping in Miami Dade County.
• 🎯 A 5-acre property in the Redlands, operating as an illegal trailer park, is under investigation for potentially dumping human waste into groundwater.

Investigation and Property Conditions

• 💰 Tenants at the Redlands property pay $800 per month to live in structures ranging from trailers to makeshift shacks.
• ⚠️ The property is accused of discharging sewage into the ground, contaminating groundwater and contributing to E. coli outbreaks.
• 🔍 Detectives are tracing plumbing to determine how waste is being disposed of, noting that even permitted septic systems are not allowed in this sensitive area near the Everglades.

Health and Environmental Risks

• 💧 The risk of septic breaches is high, especially with multiple RVs connected to poorly maintained systems, leading to fecal matter entering the ground and aquifer.
• 🌊 This contamination poses a serious health concern, potentially impacting the groundwater that feeds Biscane Bay and affecting the entire county.
• 🧪 A science team is sampling soil, groundwater, and tap water to assess the extent of E. coli and fecal contamination.

Enforcement and Penalties

• ⚖️ Sergeant Christopher Garcia emphasizes that illegal dumping is a crime, leading to arrests and significant fines.
• 💥 On this day, two arrests were made, including the property manager charged with felony pollution.
• 💸 The landowner faces over $200,000 in fines and is responsible for the cleanup costs.

Deterrence and Public Awareness

• 🗣️ Authorities aim to send a strong message that illegal dumping is unacceptable and will be met with accountability, including potential jail time and vehicle impoundment.
• 📢 The unit averages 30 to 60 arrests per month and issues millions in fines, likening the constant battle against illegal dumping to playing 'whack-a-mole'.
• 📢 A comprehensive educational campaign is needed to inform residents about the serious health and environmental stakes involved in illegal dumping.