The Mossos d'Esquadra have detected a notable increase in uncontrolled dumping in the Girona regions. This trend has intensified due to the increase in regulation in waste management, which pushes some responsible parties to seek more remote locations to dispose of their waste.
Antoni Martín, head of the Regional Environmental Unit (URMA) in Girona, warns that these dumps are common in remote wooded areas but are increasingly closer to cities. The headquarters of this police unit is located at the Mas Xirgu police station, from where they coordinate preventive and repressive actions.
"By regulation, we cannot leave even a small stick outside," says Antoni Martín, head of URMA in Girona.
Among the most found waste are remains of marijuana plantations, waste derived from illegal workshops, and construction material. Recurring spaces include wooded areas only accessible by vehicle and riverbeds where polluting fluids and liquids are dumped, which complicates their immediate detection.
On March 26, agents detected a significant spill next to the AVE tracks as it passes through Riudellots de la Selva. In that spill, debris, wood, plasterboard sheets, metal sheets, and various construction materials were found, partially obstructing the railway environment. The Mossos certified that it was a company from Girona and notified the person in charge, a 53-year-old man, to remove the waste through an authorized manager. This administrative procedure seeks to ensure that the materials are managed correctly without the need for prior judicial intervention if there are no clear criminal indications.
If you find indications about those responsible for marijuana dumping, notify the Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) so they can take over the case. This referral is crucial when the waste is associated with illicit crops or organized criminal activities that go beyond mere administrative environmental infractions.
There is a risk of forest fires if an attempt is made to light a fire to eliminate waste in wooded areas. In the event of spills in watercourses, the relevant town hall, the Waste Agency of Catalonia (ARC), and the ACA are alerted, thus coordinating territorial and sectoral responsibilities to minimize the immediate ecological impact.