Rogue operators who illegally dump waste in Northern Ireland could go to jail for five years under tough new laws being introduced next week.
The legislation will also increase the maximum fine and force offenders to pay the clean up and enforcement costs.
Last week it emerged that government north and south of the border was facing a bill of up to £50m for cleaning up thousands of tonnes of litter from the Republic dumped in Northern Ireland.
Environment Minister Arlene Foster said: "These new measures, to come into force on 25 June, will help in the fight against those who have no regard for the costs of their actions, not only in terms of the burden on the Northern Ireland taxpayer, but also in relation to damage to the environment and risk to public health."
Unauthorised operators - including organised criminal gangs - can generate profits of around £100 per tonne of illegal waste. This leads to a loss of some £24m in taxes each year.
Clean-up costs are around £1m per site.
Investigators will be able to hold vehicles taken from those convicted under the Waste (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order.
It was made in Westminster in March but only comes into force this month.
Officials will be able to stop and search vehicles while judges can impose a fine of up to £50,000, increased from £20,000 under old laws.