Brookhaven Town Safety units conducted a raid today on a residential property on Swezey Lane in Middle Island in response to numerous complaints about an illegal mulching operation.

Deputy Brookhaven Town Attorney David Moran says that residents in the area have been complaining about a foul odor and migrating dust from a nearby property.

The town and the state DEC say the property is listed as residential, but was being used illegally as a commercial recycling, mulching and sand mining operation. The property in question was being taxed as vacant land, according to the Town of Brookhaven.

Officials say there were 25 to 30 violations issued ranging from $500 to $5,000. They say the violations total at least $12,000. Efforts to reach out to the property owners were unsuccessful.