Countywide : County Probes Alleged Toxic Liquid Discharge
The Orange County Hazardous Materials Strike Force seized records from a Santa Ana costume jewelry manufacturer Tuesday as part of an investigation of possible illegal dumping of toxic materials, health officials said.
Bob Gannon, supervising deputy district attorney, would not give details of the search, saying that it was part of an ongoing investigation of the company, Time Casting.
“We received some indication that there was an unlawful discharge of liquid that appeared to come from that location,” he said.
Officials from several agencies, including the state Toxic Substance Control Department, the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the county Environmental Health Office, helped serve the search warrant shortly before noon and carted away boxes of documents as employees looked on.
Jerry Lawrence, who helps manage the business, said he did not know the purpose of the investigation. “I guess somebody complained,” he said.
He characterized the inspection as normal and said health officials issued no citations and made no arrests.
The company, at 150 E. Stevens Ave., has been operating there for three years, Lawrence said.
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