Environment Agency secures over £526K in Proceeds of Crime case
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-21)

An illegal enterprise in catalytic converters has brought confiscation orders for £526,215.04, at a Proceeds of Crime Award hearing.

The case led by the Environment Agency was concluded at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday 16 May 2025.

The ruling was made against Long Sutton-based Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd and director Edvars Stancik.

Recorder John Hardy KC ruled that Stancik, 30, had made a benefit of £4,312,925.70 from his criminal activity while his company made a benefit of £4,344,827.60.

The court heard assets of £495,280.88 were available from the company made up of cash in a bank account and seized catalytic converters.

Stancik’s only asset was £30,934.16 from equity in a house he sold before his trial, the court was told.

Recorder Hardy ordered those amounts to be confiscated and ruled that £100,111.65 should be paid to the Environment Agency to cover costs.

At a previous hearing (4 September 2024), the company and Stancik were found guilty of running an illegal waste site at Long Sutton.

The court heard that, between December 2019 and September 2021, Stancik, 30, acted as a director of the company and traded in catalytic convertors on a colossal scale.

A jury heard that neither Stancik nor his company had obtained an environmental permit before buying and selling thousands of catalytic converters.

Stancik stored the devices in containers in Long Sutton and were stored in an irresponsible manner giving rise to health risks.

A warrant for the arrest of Stancik, who is believed to be living in Lithuania, has been issued. He has been given 3 months to pay or face 5 years in jail.

The Environment Agency continues to investigate ways of retrieving further proceeds.

Peter Stark, Environment Agency Enforcement Team Leader, said:

“Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the benefit they obtain from their illegal activities.

“Offenders won’t get away with concealing information or their assets, and due to the EA’s hard work, justice has been served.

“Waste crime can be a blight on the environment, communities and to legitimate businesses.

“We will continue to work with professional partners like Lincolnshire Police in this case to prevent, disrupt, investigate, and stop waste offending.

“If anyone suspects that a company or its directors are doing something wrong, contact our 24/7 hotline on xx-xxxx-xxxx or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on xx-xxxx-xxxx.”

The charges:

Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd.

Operating a regulated facility, namely a waste operation, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton).

Operating a regulated facility, namely a waste operation, otherwise than in accordance with an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

Keeping controlled waste contrary to section 33(1)(c) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.) (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

Keeping controlled waste contrary to section 33(1)(c) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

Edvars Stancik

Causing a company to operate a regulated facility otherwise in accordance with an environmental permit contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) by virtue of Regulation 41(1) and 41(3) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

Causing a company to operate a regulated facility otherwise in accordance with an environmental permit contrary to Regulation 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) by virtue of Regulation 41(1) and 41(3) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

Causing a company to commit an offence, contrary to section 33(1)(c), 33(6) by virtue of s157(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at St Thomas Court, Long Sutton)

Causing a company to commit an offence, contrary to section 33(1)(c), 33(6) by virtue of s157(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. (Relating to the site at Lime Walk, Long Sutton)

Background Information

Catalytic converters are components in car exhausts. They contain small amounts of precious metals contained within a metal case making them valuable.

However, catalytic converters also contain carcinogenic fibres which, if ingested, can cause serious and irreversible lung disease.

The dangerous fibres can attach to shoes and clothing and be transported from one place to another.

It is therefore extremely important that catalytic converters are handled only under the strict conditions of an environmental permit, supervised by the Environment Agency.