ESG Enforcement Tracker

On 16 May 2025, Lincoln Crown Court ordered the confiscation of £526,215.04 in a proceeds of crime case brought by the EA against Platinum Group Metals Recycling Ltd and its director, Edvars Stancik. Stancik, through the company, operated an illegal waste site in Long Sutton, England, trading thousands of catalytic converters without an environmental permit between December 2019 and September 2021, committing offences under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The court found that:

1. Stancik personally benefited by £4.3 million and the company gained £4.34 million from the unlawful conduct;

2. there were available assets of £495,280.88 from the company and £30,934.16 in equity from the proceeds of sale of a house belonging to Stancik; and

3. the available assets should be confiscated, and the EA should be awarded £100,111.65 in costs.

Stancik, who the EA believe is in Lithuania, was given three months to pay or face five years in prison. A warrant for his arrest has been issued (it is not clear if an INTERPOL Red Notice has been issued).

The EA noted it is continuing efforts to recover further proceeds and reiterated its commitment to tackling waste crime in collaboration with law enforcement partners.