The dumping of a 150-metre-long mountain of waste in a field alongside the major road in Kidlington, raising risks of pollution into the nearby river, provoked widespread outrage.
As part of an ongoing Environment Agency (EA) investigation, it has been confirmed two men have been arrested this week.
A 69-year-old man was detained at an address in Andover, Hampshire, while a 54-year-old was arrested in Slough, with both men released on bail. Both men were arrested for environmental and money laundering offences.
Three people have now been arrested in connection with the incident.
In warrants executed on Thursday, officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), working in support of the Environment Agency and alongside Thames Valley Police, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Surrey Police, secured the arrest of the suspects at two separate locations.
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A general view of the 150m long mountain of rubbish that has been illegally dumped beside the A34. (Image: Jacob King / PA Wire)
The vast pile of rubbish, estimated to weigh around 21,000 tonnes, lies between the River Cherwell and the A34 and was first discovered in July.
Stretching roughly 150 metres in length and reaching about six metres high, it contains shredded household materials including plastics, tyres, polystyrene, and other general waste.
Work to clear the Kidlington site began earlier this month amid growing fears about the risk of fire and its possible impact on nearby roads.
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The 150m long mountain of rubbish that has been illegally dumped beside the A34. (Image: Jonathan Brady / PA)
A private company has been contracted to remove the waste over the next year, at a cost of £9.6 million.
Emma Viner, enforcement and investigations manager in the Environment Agency’s National Environmental Crime Unit, said: “The illegal dump at Kidlington was an atrocious and deliberate attack on our environment, and the Environment Agency shares the community’s anger at this horrific crime.
“Our teams have been working tirelessly with the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit on this investigation.
“These joint efforts have resulted in further arrests, which are another vital step in collecting new evidence and progressing our investigation.”
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Footage of the arrests being made. (Image: Environment Agency)
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “The illegal dumping of waste at Kidlington is appalling and has caused significant damage to the environment and distress to the local community.
“I welcome these arrests – an important step in securing justice for local residents.
“The government is committed to stamping out this type of criminality across the country, by boosting funds to tackle waste crime, hiring more officers and introducing tougher checks and penalties for those who break the law.”
A 39-year-old man from the Guildford area was arrested in November 2025 in connection with the same waste dump, but was later released pending further enquiries.