At one site, Imperial Way in Croydon, the landowner was left £300,000 out of pocket with security cameras smashed.
The gang left another site, Station Road in Colliers Wood, with a fly tip which cost £15,000 to clear.
Two men, Patrick Doherty and Martin Ward, have been jailed for 28 and 18 months respectively.
Michael Ward, also known as Martin McCann, and Simon O’Donnell both received 14 months, suspended for 2 years.
Members of the gang unlawfully occupied six vacant sites across London, and within hours turned each location into an illegal waste dump.
Tipper trucks arrived in convoy and filled the site with waste before they packed up and moved on to their next target.
CCTV footage, obtained by the Environment Agency, showed the men breaking into and then taking control of sites, interfering with cctv cameras, directing tipper trucks loaded with waste whilst frequently hiding their own faces, and removing and covering vehicle registration plates to cover their tracks.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:
“The actions of these shameless waste criminals are unacceptable and have rightly been punished.
“My message is simple – break the law by dumping waste and we will come after you.
“This Government is stepping up action, through our Waste Crime Action Plan, with new powers and more funding for the authorities and tougher punishments for criminals.”
Matt Higginson, Environment Manager for the Environment Agency said:
“This verdict is justice for residents who have had to endure misery and environmental damage at the hand of this gang.
“We are laser focused on tackling illegal waste crime and are stepping up action with better intelligence, faster interventions and naming and shaming rogue operators.
“I would urge anyone who suspects illegal waste activity to report it anonymously so we can tackle these crimes head on.”
