Two men have been arrested in connection with the illegal dumping of waste across England.
The men, aged 44 and 49 and from Sale and Rochdale, were arrested after a raid by Greater Manchester Police and Environment Agency officers on Tuesday.
The suspects were released after interview pending further enquiries, the Environment Agency said.
“These arrests send a simple message to waste criminals – we will stop you,” Emma Viner, from the Environment Agency, said, adding: “With local police forces, we have been working non-stop to progress our investigation and bring an end to this inexcusable criminal activity.”
The arrests are not related to activity in Bickershaw, Wigan, and are part of a wider investigation into illegal waste activity across England, The Environment Agency said.
Det Ch Supt Kelly Wild said: “This investigation demonstrates how vital it is for enforcement agencies and regulators to work side by side.
“We will continue to support organisations like the Environment Agency as they pursue those responsible for waste crime, fraud and money laundering. Criminal networks operating in this area can expect to be uncovered, disrupted, and prevented from causing further harm.”