Un clandestine warehouse and scrap yard located in an industrial park in Ribera Alta Valencia has come under scrutiny from authorities after the discovery of hazardous waste management operations operating completely outside the legal framework. The Civil Guard has proposed a fine and requested that the town council cease the activity due to the risk it posed to the environment and public safety.
The intervention was launched after a neighbor raised the alarm The report concerned continuous truck traffic and the storage of suspicious substances inside an industrial building. Following this tip, officers launched an investigation that uncovered a situation with serious deficiencies in safety, waste management, and compliance with current environmental legislation in the Valencian Community.
A tip from a citizen uncovers the clandestine activity
The performance began on February 28th, when officers from the Carlet Main Civil Guard Post They went to the industrial park indicated by the neighbor. Upon arrival, they observed a tractor-trailer leaving the building under investigation, confirming the heavy movement of goods that had been observed in the area.
After the initial checks, the officers verified that The transport company linked to the vehicles was incorporated in Romania. and it was not properly registered or authorized to operate in Spain. This detail raised even more concerns, pointing to a possible cross-border operation involving waste without administrative control or traceability.
Given the suspicion that crimes might be being committed environmental violations of particular severityA patrol from the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of Alzira, specializing in monitoring this type of activity, was called in for support. A detailed inspection of the interior of the building was then carried out.
Inside the warehouse, the agents located a significant volume of materials and chemical substances that, at first glance, pointed to a completely irregular scrapping and waste management operationThe magnitude of the discovery led to the meticulous documentation of each element in order to submit a complete report to the competent authorities.
Unprotected containers with corrosive and flammable solvents
One of the points that generated the most concern among researchers was the presence of large containers filled with highly corrosive and flammable solventsThese substances, due to their potential danger, require storage under strict technical and safety conditions, something that was conspicuously absent on the ship.
The containers were found stacked precariouslyThe containers lacked containment trays or bunds to prevent product dispersion in case of spillage or breakage. Furthermore, officers found that the containers were not located in areas designated for hazardous substances, exponentially increasing the risk of fire, explosion, or soil contamination.
This situation was compounded by the total absence of operational fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems at the facility. The ship lacked rapid response equipment in case of an incident, whether a fire caused by solvents or an uncontrolled spill.
The Seprona agents also pointed out the lack of mechanisms and equipment designed to contain or control potential spillssuch as absorbent materials, adequate drainage systems, or emergency plans. In practice, any leak could end up affecting the floor of the building and, potentially, the sanitation network or the subsoil of the industrial area.
This combination of hazardous products, lack of protective measures and negligent storage This led researchers to classify the site as a high-risk facility for both the environment and the safety of workers and neighboring businesses.
End-of-life tires and undecontaminated vehicles
In addition to solvents, the inspection uncovered a significant volume of Tires at the end of their useful life stored without controlThe agents verified that these wastes did not comply with the management conditions or safety measures required by the state regulations governing end-of-life tires.
The tires appeared piled up without order or fire prevention systemsThis could cause a dense cloud of toxic smoke and a prolonged pollution episode in the event of a fire. This type of waste requires specific management, with authorized operators and traceability back to its final destination. tire recycling.
During the operation, the Civil Guard also located two scrapped vehicles with foreign license plates that had not been decontaminatedBefore proceeding with the dismantling and recycling of a car, regulations require the proper removal of oils, fuels, batteries, liquids and other hazardous components, a process that had been completely ignored here.
The presence of these cars being dismantled, without the necessary safety measures or the intervention of an authorized center, reinforces the theory that the warehouse was used as clandestine scrap yard and unauthorized waste treatment siteAll of this was done outside the official records of waste managers in the Valencian Community.
The officers photographically documented both the tires and the vehicles to incorporate them into the complaint reports submitted to the competent authorities, so that the corresponding sanctions and possible environmental remediation measures can be assessed.
Total lack of licenses, insurance and environmental documentation
In parallel with the physical inspection of the premises, the Civil Guard requested the person in charge of the establishment to provide all documentation that proves the legality of the activity: municipal opening licenses, environmental authorizations, civil liability insurance policies, waste management contracts and transport company certificates.
The manager, a 26-year-old man of Romanian nationalityHe was unable to provide any of these documents at the time of the inspection or in the days that followed. To date, no valid permits or registration as an authorized manager or end-of-life vehicle treatment center have been verified.
This lack of paperwork constitutes a very serious infringement of Law 5/2022, on waste and contaminated soils for the promotion of the circular economy in the Valencian Community. This regulation requires that all activities related to the collection, storage, or treatment of waste be subject to authorization and comply with strict technical and administrative requirements.
Furthermore, the ship violated the Law 6/2014, on Prevention, Quality and Environmental Control of Activities In the Valencian Community, the regulations establish the general framework for the operation of potentially polluting facilities. The lack of an environmental license and regular inspections places these types of businesses in a completely irregular situation.
In addition to the above, there is non-compliance with state regulations on management of end-of-life tires and vehicle decontaminationThis further aggravates the sanctioning process and may lead to significant financial penalties if the authorities determine the existence of multiple accumulated infringements.
Seprona intervened and the case was transferred to the Environment Department.
The investigation has been carried out by officers from the Carlet Main Station and the Seprona Patrol of AlziraThey coordinated their efforts to document in detail all the irregularities observed at the Ribera Alta warehouse. Their work has resulted in a comprehensive report on the situation of the clandestine scrap yard.
After completing the inspection, the Civil Guard proceeded to lift various complaint reports addressed to the Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure and TerritoryThe reports were also sent to the town hall of the municipality where the warehouse is located.
The documentation submitted to the administrations details the nature and volume of hazardous waste found, the condition of the stored tires, the presence of undecontaminated vehicles and the complete lack of fire prevention measures and protection against possible spills.
The officers also emphasized the essential role of citizen reports, which allowed for timely detection. a high-risk clandestine industrial activity in the heart of the Ribera Alta regionWithout that collaboration, the accumulation of waste and hazardous substances could have continued to grow unchecked for much longer.
Now it will be up to the Regional Ministry and the City Council who, in light of the reports and the seriousness of the events, will have to determine the economic sanctions, closure orders, and environmental restoration measures that are appropriate, including the proper management of waste accumulated in the building.
The case of the clandestine scrap yard in Ribera Alta highlights the Importance of monitoring industrial activities that operate outside of environmental regulationsThis is concerning both because of the impact they can have on the land and the risk they pose to the safety of workers and residents. The combination of hazardous substances, discarded tires, and uncleaned vehicles, all without licenses or safety measures, illustrates the extent to which these clandestine facilities can become a source of problems if swift and decisive action is not taken.
