2 Men Accused Of Dumping Gas, Motor Oil Down Arlington Storm Drain

ARLINGTON, VA — Two men have been charged after Arlington County officials said gasoline and motor oil were illegally dumped into the county’s stormwater system.

The Arlington County Office of the Fire Marshal arrested Ahmad Adawi, 33, of Fairfax, and Suhib Derbas, 31, of Alexandria, following an investigation into the unlawful discharge of petroleum products into a storm drain, county officials said Tuesday.

Adawi was charged with violation of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code, conspiracy to discharge oil into waters and knowingly and willfully discharging oil into waters, according to the county.

Derbas was charged with conspiracy to discharge oil into waters and knowingly and willfully discharging oil into waters, officials said.

The charges stem from the illegal dumping of “substantial quantities” of gasoline and motor oil into a storm drain, according to Arlington County.

County officials said the incident involved the intentional release of hazardous substances into stormwater drains. Gasoline and oil are classified as hazardous materials because of their toxicity, flammability and potential environmental effects, officials said.

The Office of the Fire Marshal conducted the investigation in coordination with local and regional partner agencies, according to the county. Adawi and Derbas were taken into custody without incident and have since been released while awaiting further court proceedings, officials said.

Adawi and Derbas were arraigned Monday morning in Arlington General District Court and have a preliminary hearing scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on July 30, according to court records.

“This enforcement action reflects our ongoing commitment to uphold the law and protect the public and environment from hazardous and unlawful conduct,” Chief Fire Marshal Matthew Cobb said in a statement. “The Office of the Fire Marshal, in coordination with our partner agencies, is engaged in a focused and sustained effort to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for illegal dumping activities.”

Cobb said such actions pose serious risks to public safety and the environment and “will not be tolerated in Arlington County.”

The Office of the Fire Marshal reminded residents and businesses that improper disposal of hazardous materials is a criminal offense. Petroleum products and other regulated substances must be disposed of through approved methods and facilities, county officials said.

Anyone with information about illegal dumping or hazardous materials violations is asked to contact the Arlington County Office of the Fire Marshal by calling 703-228-4644 or emailing firecodeinquiry@arlingtonva.gov.