Europol leads a global crackdown on environmental crime and waste trafficking, arresting 337 suspects across 71 countries and seizing 127,000+ tonnes of illegal waste with nearly €10M in criminal assets

The year-long operation, Custos Viridis, involved authorities from 71 countries and targeted organised crime networks trafficking waste and polluting materials, which investigators say could generate at least €31 million in illicit profits. Authorities conducted more than 1,000 inspections worldwide, seizing large quantities of waste, polluting agents and chemicals along with nearly €10 million in cash and bank accounts, while identifying networks exporting illegal waste from Europe to Africa…