Authorities have discovered another massive stockpile of toxic waste hidden in the city’s northern suburbs, the thirteenth site linked to a network allegedly responsible for running the biggest illicit chemical dumping operation in the state’s history.

The Age understands dangerous goods regulator WorkSafe took control of the latest stockpile in Campbellfield after an analysis of drone footage suggested there was up to 1.6 million litres of chemicals hidden under bales of synthetic fabric and other refuse.

The chemical dump site in Campbellfield originally believed to contain only industrial rubbish Credit:Chris Vedelago

The property was leased by Graham Leslie White, who has been linked to the West Footscray chemical dump that erupted into a massive industrial blaze in August 2018, and eight other illicit dump sites in Campbellfield and Epping since Christmas.

The latest site first came to the attention of the Environment Protection Authority in January but an initial survey by the agency detected only piles of inappropriately stored industrial waste - not toxic chemicals - so it was assigned a low priority.