A truck driver is facing felony charges after he was caught smuggling three and a half tons of recyclables from Arizona into California.
Driver Followed After Spotted Loading Up With Bottles And Cans
On July 19, State Department of Justice recycling fraud team agents spotted 40 year old driver Julio Bolanos loading up 7,000 pounds of cans and bottles into his truck in Phoenix.
The agents followed the truck and noted that Bolanos took a 70 mile detour in order to avoid a checkpoint in Blythe.
The agents then contacted the California Highway Patrol to assist them in stopping the truck. Because Bolanos did not have the necessary paperwork to transport used beverage containers into California, he was arrested.
Driver Could Face Three Years In Prison
He was charged with felony recycling fraud, attempted grand theft, and conspiracy. He could face up to three years in prison.
The cans and bottles had an estimated value of $11,000 in California Redemption Value.
Sources:
PE.com
The Marina Del Ray Patch
The Los Angeles Times