Illegal dumpers in viral video, say sorry

Authorities on Wednesday evening tracked down and questioned two young men caught in the act of illegal dumping on a viral video.

Ross Corbin and Anthony Brathwaite, reportedly expressing remorse over their actions, have agreed to carry out a round of beach clean-ups in an apparent attempt to make amends.

Illegal dumping into the marine environment could net a fine of $50,000 or two years imprisonment or both.

The dumping, which occurred at the beach at Needham’s Point outside the Hilton Hotel, was filmed on Sunday and drawn to the attention of the Ministry of Health, the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) and police.

In the video, one man is seen tossing empty coconut shells on to the beach.

SSA spokesman Carl Alff Padmore told Barbados TODAY that after a six-hour investigation, the authorities were able to identify Ross Corbin, 23, and Anthony Brathwaite, 29, in the video.

The men were subjected to an extensive chiding from Hastings/Worthing police, SSA and Ministry of Health officials, and  Ryan Als, general manager of the National Conservation Commission, the nation’s parks and beaches authority.

“We met with the young men in the presence of police… and we explained the serious nature of this act, said Padmore. “From tomorrow for the next five days, these young men will be engaged in some serious cleanup around beaches under the supervision of the National Conservation Commission.”

The SSA was particularly concerned about the timing of the illicit act, Padmore said, noting that “when you have empty coconut shells, mosquitos can breed.”
sandydeane@barbadostoday.bb