Houston auto parts business charged with violating used oil regulations

Three people and a Houston business are facing felony charges for allegedly violating the Texas Used Oil Act, resulting in hazardous contamination at a local salvage yard.

Criminal charges have been filed against L&Y Business, LLC and its operators, Mohamad Yousef and Kamal Jubreel, for multiple alleged violations of the Used Oil Act. According to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the charges stem from incidents on June 5, 2024, and Aug. 5, 2024, at the company’s salvage yard Uni-Wide Auto Parts Imports located at the 9903 block of Airline Drive in Houston.

According to the affidavit, the investigation began on May 28, 2024, when Deputy Aaron Munoz, an investigator with the Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct 1 Environmental Crimes Unit, was assigned to a task force named JAWS (Junk Auto Wrecker Salvage Yards). The initiative aims to conduct standard inspections at development sites, salvage yards, and wrecker yards throughout Harris County. During the inspection, Munoz discovered substantial environmental violations at Uni-Wide involving improper handling of used oil.

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Inspector Ivan Arteaga from the Harris County Engineering Department was the first to raise concerns after observing heavy oil contamination throughout the property. The inspection revealed engines and engine components left uncovered on the ground, with visible dark stains and a pungent odor typical of petroleum-based contaminants. These conditions suggested the business was not following the legally required procedures for containing and managing used oil.

Following a series of inspections and reports, Deputy Munoz obtained a search warrant on June 4, to investigate the property further. During a walkthrough the next day, Munoz and his team confirmed multiple violations. They found that used oil was being stored in containers with apparent structural defects, and an Intermediate Bulk Container tote with an estimated capacity of 250-275 gallons held a thick black liquid identified as used oil. Soil samples were collected and later tested by the Harris County Pollution Control, showing high levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons, exceeding legal limits.

The investigation also revealed that co-defendants Yousef and Jubreel were aware of these issues and had taken no action to fix them. Mr. Herrera, a former employee, reported that Yousef was unresponsive to environmental agency requests and was attempting to avoid compliance by using legal maneuvers.

A former Uni-Wide employee, Mr. Sanchez, provided additional details about the improper disposal of contaminated soil. He stated that on Aug. 5, the company began digging out contaminated soil and placing it into approximately 14 junk vehicles, which were then hauled away. This action was taken without using a certified environmental remediation service and violated state regulations on the proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials.

The contaminated soil was found in various areas across the property, including under a trash bin that had been moved, revealing a 2-foot deep, heavily stained pit with a strong odor of oil and fuel. Despite receiving multiple warnings and a grand jury subpoena, the defendants did not take steps to address the contamination, according to the affidavit.

According to court documents, the defendants have a history of non-compliance. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality confirmed that the business, operating as Uni-Wide Auto Parts Import, had one active stormwater permit and one expired permit in its database. The affidavit also reveals that the property owner, Mustafa Kamal, expressed frustration with tenant Mohamad Yousef’s handling of the ongoing violations and noted that Yousef was attempting to evade compliance by using attorneys.

Additionally, during a follow-up inspection in August 2024, it was revealed that no legitimate environmental companies had been contracted to fix the site, despite promises made by Yousef. Employees who spoke with investigators stated that the company was aware of the issues but failed to take any corrective action.

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