A "SIGNIFICANT" illegal waste site has been uncovered in Co Tyrone - the third found in the area since the autumn.
The site in Galbally is being linked to two other illegal dumps discovered in Ballygawley and Sandholes, a hamlet close to Cookstown.
A man was arrested on Thursday and questioned about illegal dumping. He was later released pending further enquiries.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) believes more than 30,000 tonnes of waste have been dumped across the three sites.
Derek Williamson from agency's environmental crime unit said the waste originated in the Republic.
"The volume of waste in the most recent site is still being assessed," he said.
"Previously, we estimated the collective total of these waste deposits exceeded 22,000 tonnes. While subject to further estimates, we now expect volumes to exceed 30,000 tonnes. To put this into context, it would be equivalent to 12 Olympic swimming pools filled with rubbish.
"It would take considerable effort to transport and dump rubbish on such a large scale. The potential environmental effect of any unauthorised waste deposit is clear. Aside from this, there is the cost of cleaning it up."
He said there are fears east and south Tyrone is being used by "unscrupulous criminals to illegally dispose of waste".
"This is why we have now linked these incidents and have appealed for public help in detecting and preventing further deposits," he said.
"We have not assessed any immediate public health implications. However, we would advise anyone who finds waste illegally dumped not to touch it, but to report it appropriately."
He said environmental crime unit officers are working with authorities on both sides of the border as investigations continue.
