Illegal Waste Boss Arrested on Runway Trying to Flee UK

An illegal waste boss was arrested on the runway of Heathrow airport as he tried to flee the country to avoid paying back the proceeds of his illegal waste business.

Amrik Johal, 55, has now been jailed for three years after he was stopped while boarding a flight to Delhi last Thursday (May 16) without paying the full amount of a £881,513 confiscation order – money he needed to pay for waste crimes he was convicted of in 2010.

The Environment Agency (UK) brought a case against Mr Johal in 2008 for running an illegal waste site in Slough, Berkshire. Noisy activities at the site, which included the crushing of cars, the burning of diesel and dumping of waste between January 2006 and March 2007, caused misery for his neighbours.

The court ordered him to pay over £880,000 under the proceeds of crime act, but he failed to pay the full amount, despite owning a number of properties. 

A warrant for Mr Johal’s arrest was issued on May 10 2013 after he failed to appear at court to explain why he had not paid up.

His attempt to flee the country was scuppered when airport security checks found that a warrant with no bail had been issued for him. The Metropolitan Police Special Branch at Heathrow Airport was forced to stop the plane while it was taxiing, and Mr Johal was arrested on the runway.

Prosecution Team Leader for the South East region of the Environment Agency, Angus Innes, said: “Thanks to both the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Southeast Regional Confiscation Unit HMCTS, Mr Johal was prevented from leaving the country and is now in prison.

“Waste crime puts people and the environment at risk and undermines legitimate businesses.

“Mr Johal’s imprisonment sends out a clear message to all those who commit waste offences. Disobey the law and you will be punished.”