Justice Department Assists with Global Operation Targeting Environmental Crime and Waste Trafficking
From January to December 2025, an unprecedented international law enforcement operation named Custos Viridis targeted organized criminal networks involved in environmental crimes such as waste trafficking, pollution, money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. Led by Europol and involving 71 countries, including the United States through the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and the EPA, this global crackdown spanned five continents. The operation aimed to dismantle the criminal enterprises that profit from illegally dumping and trafficking hazardous waste, a practice that poses severe risks to public health and ecosystems worldwide. By disrupting these networks, authorities hope to reduce environmental... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Mar 2026 18:06
Europol leads international operation against environmental crime and waste trafficking
Europol spearheaded an extensive international crackdown on organized crime networks engaged in waste trafficking and environmental pollution. The operation, named Custos Viridis, ran throughout 2025 across five continents, involving law enforcement agencies from 71 countries. This collective effort targeted illegal activities that harm ecosystems and public health, such as toxic waste dumping and unregulated disposal. The scale of participation underscores the global nature of waste crime and the need for coordinated action. Illicit waste trafficking often fuels corruption and damages vulnerable communities, making this operation critical for environmental and social stability. Europol’s leadership facilitated information sharing, joint investigations, and disruption... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Mar 2026 13:03
Europol leads international operation against environmental crime and waste trafficking
Europol led an extensive international crackdown on organized crime involved in environmental offenses, focusing on waste trafficking and pollution. The operation, named Custos Viridis, spanned the entire year of 2025 and included partners from 71 countries across five continents. This coordinated effort helped identify and disrupt criminal networks profiting from illegal waste disposal and pollution. Environmental crime has significant consequences, including ecosystem degradation, public health risks, and economic costs linked to clean-up and enforcement. By uniting multiple countries and agencies, Europol aims to close loopholes exploited by traffickers, who often bypass regulations to dump waste unlawfully. The operation's success reinforces... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Mar 2026 09:48
