Driver stopped for attempted recycling fraud

Aluminum cans filling the back of a California driver’s trucks.

A California truck driver arrested in February on charges of attempted grand theft and felony recycling fraud for illegally transporting used beverage containers into California from Nevada in an attempt to defraud the California Redemption Value Fund.

According to a statement by California authorities:

“On Feb. 16, agents with the California Department of Justice’s Recycling Fraud Team conducted an investigation into a North Las Vegas storage yard with a history of trafficking used beverage containers into California. At 4:25 p.m., agents observed a white semi-truck labeled “New Evolution Trucking” enter the storage yard. The truck and trucking company had been known to illegally transport used beverage containers in the past. Agents followed the truck as it departed at 10:42 p.m. and requested assistance from CHP after the driver took a route which would avoid the CDFA border checkpoint in Yermo.

“Carlos Flores, 36, of Los Angeles was stopped off I-15 in Barstow at 2:20 a.m. on Feb. 17. Flores stated he did not have the bill of lading or Imported Material Report required to transport used beverage containers into California. Flores was arrested, and his 53-foot tractor-trailer was impounded. A subsequent check of the materials inside revealed 7,260 pounds of aluminum and 3,360 pounds of plastic used beverage containers with a potential California Redemption Value of $15,464. Flores was released on his own recognizance and is awaiting arraignment at the San Bernardino County Superior Court.”