The Environment Agency said it would employ a “drones squad” of 33 trained pilots and increase the Joint Unit for Waste Crime from 13 to 20 specialists.
The unit’s head, Phil Davies, said: “With organised criminals becoming ever more sophisticated, we are adopting new technologies to find and, importantly, stop them.
“Through the greater use of drones, stronger partnerships and more officers on the ground, we will build on our action so far.”
The new measures come after the government increased the Environment Agency’s budget for waste crime enforcement by more than 50% this year to £15.6m.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “This government is aggressively pursuing waste criminals and bringing offenders to justice.
“From advanced laser mapping to drone surveillance and new vehicle scanning tools, this technology is helping us track, expose and stop waste crime, ensuring those who blight our communities are held to account.”