Irishman one of US pollution watchdog's 'most wanted'
Wednesday December 24 2008
IT doesn't contain household names such as Al Capone or John Dillinger but the US Environmental Protection Agency has followed in the footsteps of the FBI by issuing its very own "most wanted" list. And an Irishman is on it.
Joseph Anthony O'Connor (57) is wanted by the US authorities for allegedly discharging pollutants into San Diego Bay.
Mr O'Connor, a Waterford-born shipping agent, hit the headlines two years ago when the Spanish authorities failed to have him extradited from the US after alleging he provided a boat used in an attempt to smuggle drugs worth $40m (€29m).
Now he is among 23 fugitives whose details were posted on the EPA's website after they fled the US. Mr O'Connor is believed to be living in Malta, as is another man on the most wanted list, Robert Smith (45).
Both have also been placed on Interpol's wanted list after international arrest warrants were issued by the US Southern District Court of California.
Mr O'Connor and Mr Smith were charged on indictments related to discharging pollutants into San Diego harbour. The violations allegedly include breaching the US Clean Waters Act, unlawful discharge of pollutants, conspiracy and making false statements.
Fugitives
An Interpol wanted notice lists the charges as counterfeiting, forgery and environmental crime. Neither the EPA nor Interpol gave specific details.
A grainy photograph of Mr O'Connor has been provided along with a physical description. No reward has been offered for information about him but the EPA is looking into the possibility of doing so.
Granta Nakayama, an assistant administrator at the EPA, said, "We thought it would be helpful to enlist the public's assistance in tracking these fugitives down."
Mr Nakayama added that the EPA most wanted list would emphasise the seriousness of crimes against the environment. Cases include fugitives who allegedly caused a plane crash and asbestos violations that threatened public health.
In 2006, Mr O'Connor was accused of providing a boat used in a foiled attempt to smuggle 8.8 tons of hashish worth $40 million. Spanish authorities maintained he was known for selling old fishing boats to smuggling groups.
But his extradition failed after a court accepted that he was in the business of buying and selling boats and that he had no knowledge or control over whether the vessels were later used for illegal purposes.
- Jason O'Brien
