In the provinces of Bari, Taranto, Trani/Barletta, Brindisi, Caserta, Naples, Avellino, Cosenza, Matera, Campobasso, Viterbo and Potenza, the Carabinieri of the Group for the Protection of the Environment and Energy Security of Naples, together with the Carabinieri of the territorially competent Provincial Commands, they implemented a precautionary custody order towards 9 subjects, held responsible, in various capacities, for criminal association, organised activities for the illicit trafficking of waste, impediment to the control and illicit management of waste.

The precautionary order, issued by the GIP of the Court of Lecce, was arranged in full acceptance of the request of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate and is the result of a complex investigative activity started by the Carabinieri of the Ecological Operations Unit (NOE) of Lecce, Bari and Naples since June 2023.

The investigation and the uncovered illicit system

Thanks to wiretaps, video recordings and shadowing, the investigators identified a well-structured criminal network, operating in the illicit trafficking of hazardous and non-hazardous special wasteThe subjects investigated would have used false environmental permits e forms with false information, to manage the illegal disposal of huge quantities of industrial waste from Puglia and Campania and destined for abandonment or illegal disposal in Apulia, Calabria, Campania and Basilicata.

Special waste, identified with the codes EER 191212 and 150106, were collected, transported and abandoned in abandoned warehouses o isolated lands, often with illegal fires which compromised the air quality. Among the places affected by the illegal abandonment are:

• Villapiana (CS)
• Cassano allo Ionio (CS)
• Ferrandina (MT)
• Pulsano (TA)

The illicit methods of disposal were made possible by falsified documentation, which indicated non-existent disposal sites.

Seizures and illicit profits

The criminal activity has guaranteed the suspects illicit profits of approximately 1 million euros, the sum for which the order was made seizure for equivalent. During the operation the following were also seized:

• 3 waste treatment/recovery companies a Giugliano (NA), Onano (VT) and San Martino Valle Caudina (AV)
• 3 industrial warehouses a Pulsano (TA) and Cassano allo Ionio (CS)
• 2 agricultural lands a Villapiana (CS)
• 25 vehicles (trailers and tractors)

Precautionary measures and status of the proceedings

The application of precautionary measures towards drivers, transport organizers, intermediaries and managers of the companies involved has the purpose of prevent the repetition of criminal activity e preserve evidence of the investigation.

It should be noted that the precautionary measure it was ordered during the preliminary investigations, and it is contestable. The defendants are to be considered innocent until a final sentence is reached.

In addition to the 9 arrested, result 34 additional subjects investigated and reported to the Judicial Authority.