Southland Truck Driver Attempts to Defraud State in Recycling Scam: Officials

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles truck driver was arrested on suspicion of felony recycling fraud for allegedly transporting about 3 1/2 tons of used beverage containers from Arizona to California with the intent to defraud the California Redemption Value Fund, officials said Wednesday.

Julio Bolanos, 40, allegedly took a 70-mile detour to avoid a California border checkpoint in Blythe, according to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. Bolanos, who was taken into custody July 19, faces six months to three years in prison if convicted.

"CalRecycle is staying on the offense with some of the most aggressive recycling-fraud prevention efforts in the nation," CalRecycle Director Scott Smithline said. "Our enforcement partners will continue to follow every lead, monitor suspected traffickers, and disrupt these criminal organizations before they have a chance to rip off California consumers."

Bolanos allegedly was driving a big rig loaded with about 7,000 pounds of bottles and cans worth an estimated $11,000 in California Redemption Value funds, the CalRecycle reported.

The tractor-trailer was impounded, and Bolanos was arrested on suspicion of felony recycling fraud, attempted grand theft and conspiracy.

— City News Service, photo via Shutterstock