Liliana Guzman-Hayes, Hazardous Waste Dumping, Florida 1997

Miami, FL – Liliana Guzman-Hayes, owner of now-defunct Olympic International Freight Forwarders, Inc., faced federal charges and penalties after illegally dumping hazardous materials in a remote area of Dade County, Florida in 1997. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights the dangers of improper hazardous waste handling within the international shipping industry and the potential for significant environmental and public safety risks.

The investigation began when authorities discovered four pallets of damaged containers abandoned in western Dade County. These containers, originally consigned to Olympic International Freight Forwarders, were found to be leaking a cocktail of highly dangerous chemicals. Investigators identified the substances as including acetone, nitric acid, ethyl ether, nitrobenzene, and toluene – all known carcinogens, corrosive acids, and highly flammable materials. The condition of the containers presented not only an environmental hazard but a serious fire and explosion risk to the surrounding area.

According to court documents, Guzman-Hayes knowingly allowed the hazardous waste to be improperly disposed of, failing to adhere to regulations governing the storage and disposal of such materials. The EPA charged her with violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. §6928(d)(2)(A), which prohibits the knowing treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste without a permit. The freight forwarder failed to ensure proper handling and ultimate disposition of the chemicals after they were shipped.

On April 16, 2001, Guzman-Hayes pled guilty to one count of violating RCRA. The sentencing, handed down on July 3, 2001, included six months of home confinement, a 24-month probationary period, 50 hours of community service, and a hefty restitution order of $29,098 payable to the Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) to cover the costs of the cleanup and remediation efforts. The incident spurred further investigation into related entities involved in the shipment of the hazardous materials.

That investigation led to a superseding information filed against Universal Freightways Corp. on August 15, 2002, also alleging violations of RCRA related to the illegal storage of hazardous waste without a permit. Universal Freightways subsequently pled guilty to the charge. On November 14, 2002, the company was sentenced to five years of probation, a $11,302 criminal fine, $23,397 in restitution to the Miami-Dade Police Department, and a $400 special assessment. This dual prosecution underscores the EPA’s commitment to holding both individuals and corporations accountable for environmental crimes.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Liliana Guzman-Hayes & Universal Freightways Corp.
Crime: Illegal hazardous waste disposal and storage
Location: Dade County, Florida
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. §6928(d)(2)(A) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Penalties (Guzman-Hayes): 6 months home confinement, 24 months probation, 50 hours community service, $29,098 restitution.
Penalties (Universal Freightways): 60 months probation, $11,302 fine, $23,397 restitution, $400 assessment.
Hazardous Materials: Acetone, nitric acid, ethyl ether, nitrobenzene, and toluene

GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on the efforts to protect communities from hazardous waste violations.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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