Global Crackdown on Eco-Crime

Europol has announced the successful culmination of a year-long international operation, dubbed ‘Custos Viridis’, aimed at dismantling organized crime networks responsible for significant environmental pollution and waste trafficking. The operation, which spanned five continents and involved cooperation from 71 countries, focused on curbing illegal activities ranging from waste trafficking to pollution, money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption.

Initiated in January 2025, the operation began with an intensive intelligence-gathering phase, followed by targeted enforcement actions from July to December. The global effort led to the arrest of 337 individuals and the seizure of over 127,000 tonnes of waste, including hazardous materials like 602 tonnes of polluting agents and 2.3 tonnes of mercury. Notably, the operation also confiscated nearly EUR 10 million in cash and bank assets, alongside other significant evidence of criminal activities.

The operation exposed various illicit practices, such as intra-European Union waste trafficking, document fraud, and the abuse of legal loopholes, particularly concerning the illegal trade of fluorinated greenhouse gases and plant protection products. Investigators noted new trends in environmental crime, including increased FGas trade originating from Asia and illicit waste exports from the EU to continents like Asia, Africa, and South America. The impacts of these crimes are profound, causing long-term environmental damage and posing serious risks to public health and safety.

Europol’s role was crucial in coordinating these efforts, providing expert guidance and support to national teams, and facilitating real-time intelligence sharing among the participating countries. This operation underscores the growing recognition of environmental crime as a significant global threat that necessitates robust international cooperation and stringent enforcement actions.