EPA Creates MOST WANTED List

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in following their older cousin, the FBI, is creating a MOST WANTED FUGITIVE list. The EPA is the first law enforcement agency to feature a roster of fugitives for crimes against nature.

This new website shows the alleged criminal's picture, a description of charges, and the last whereabouts of the offender. What constitutes crimes against the environment? The alleged violations include smuggling of ozone-depleting substances, illegally disposing of hazardous waste, discharging pollutants into the air and water, laundering money and making criminally false statements.

The list is alphabetical. Hitting close to home here in Miami, is fugitive Mauro Valenzuela, age 39. Valenzuela was the mechanic for SabreTech who is accused of providing false information regarding the replacement of oxygen generators aboard ValuJet flight 592 which crashed in the Everglades killing all 110 passengers and the crew. Valenzuela fled the country after his arraignment nine years ago.

Two fugitives were apprehended this year in the U.S. But most fugitives have fled the country. EPA works closely with Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies to capture the accused. Readers are encouraged to report sightings of these individuals by clicking on the link "Report a Fugitive's Location web form" or going to the nearest U.S. Embassy if you are living or traveling outside the United States.

So now I will add this page to my "Favorites" (sounds odd) as my List of Things To Do before traveling abroad. That's the Bond Girl in me!