MIAMI – City of Miami Solid Waste inspectors and police officers issued violation notices, made arrests, and cited the owners of the Miami Produce Center following a Local 10 hidden camera investigation.
During a month-long investigation, Local 10 found people dumpster diving and picking through rotting and maggot-infested produce.
In some cases, the produce was then re-boxed and resold to restaurants.
"You hear certain things, but I'd say your story put it on the radar," said Miami Solid Waste Department Director Keith Carswell.
Carswell said five citations and six violations were issued.
"All the containers (dumpsters) are supposed to be enclosed and locked and none were enclosed or locked," he added.
Most of the dumpsters at the Miami Produce Center, considered the produce hub of South Florida, have since been locked or fenced in to limit access.
The Miami Police Department's Environmental Crimes unit also made several arrests.
"Those were more on the commercial vehicle side for improper markings and other individuals that weren't doing business in the correct manor there," said Miami Police Sergeant Leo Tapanes.
The management at the Miami Produce Center also signed a trespassing arrest affidavit, which allows police officers to immediately throw someone off the property and arrest them without a warning.
The Miami Produce Center has 30 days to fix all of the violations.