Justice Department Assists with Global Operation Targeting Environmental Crime and Waste Trafficking
International Law Enforcement Operation Code-Named ‘Custos Viridis’ Disrupts Criminal Networks to Protect the Environment from Pollution Crime
Note, the press release has been updated to include a disclaimer in the penultimate paragraph.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - The Justice Department announced a recently concluded large-scale international operation targeting organized crime networks involved in waste and pollution crime. The global operation code-named Custos Viridis, took place between January and December 2025 on five continents, and was led by Europol working alongside partners from 71 countries and international organizations including the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is the largest-ever global law enforcement operation focusing exclusively on pollution and waste crime.
The aim was to significantly disrupt criminal networks engaged in environmental crime, waste trafficking, pollution, money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. The enforcement actions helped protect society and the environment from serious risks. Starting with an intelligence phase between January to June 2025, the operation’s operational phase took place from July to December 2025.
The United States. focused on securing the southern border by targeting individuals and organized crime that sought to smuggle hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a type of fluorinated gas (FGas), and dangerous illegal pesticides into the country. The government’s efforts also combatted the sale and use of these illegal pesticides and illicit marijuana grows across the country. Collaboration with international and domestic partners significantly increased the effectiveness of this operation.
Large Amounts of Harmful Substances Seized
In the United States, investigations led to:
- 21 arrests;
- Total sentences of defendants to more than 21 months in prison and 155 months of probation
- Total sentences of defendants to pay more than $4.2 million in restitution and more than $2.2 million in forfeitures;
- 1484 pounds of FGas seized;
- 40 pounds and 6 gallons of illegal pesticides seized.
Globally, investigators conducted 1,048 inspections during the operation, leading to the arrest of 337 individuals. In total, the seizures include:
- 127,149 tons of waste;
- 602 tons of polluting agents, including 398 tons of FGas;
- 75 tons of plant protection products;
- 2.3 tons of mercury;
- Over $10 million in cash and bank accounts; and
- Key evidence, 130 vehicles, heavy machinery, firearms, apartments, and companies.
Investigators estimate that the commercial value of the illicit FGas trade alone ranged from $17 million to $23 million, depending on the final destination of the illicit goods. The seized waste types, which could generate illicit profits of at least $36 million, included various types of hazardous waste, end-of-life vehicles, scrap metal, plastics, used solar panels, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), tires, and textile waste.
Organized Crime Networks Identified
Several organized crime networks were identified as responsible for trafficking illicit waste within Europe and exporting waste to Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Among other offenses, these networks were also found to be involved in the illicit marketing of FGas, the illegal trade of plant protection products, and illicit gold mining activities using hazardous chemicals like mercury and cyanide.
New Trends and Phenomena
Operation Custos Viridis highlighted the global and flexible nature of environmental crime networks which show little regard for the environment and society.
The illegal trafficking and dumping of hazardous waste and polluting substances have severe environmental consequences, including long-term pollution of soil and water. Seizures of mercury highlight the link between environmental crime and illegal gold mining activities, with remediation costs potentially exceeding dozens of millions of dollars.
Custos Viridis Steering Group:
- The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division was on the steering committee and helped design and plan the operation.
- Besides the United States, other countries on the steering committee were: Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Custos Viridis Participants:
- Countries: Albania, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Colombia, Congo (Democratic Republic), Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Fiji, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine*, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Sweden, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.
*This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue. - Organizations and entities: AmbienDura – Waste Force Project, Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, CARICOM, CIVIPOL, EFCA, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), EL PAcCTO (Europe Latin America Program of Assistance against Transnational Organized Crime), Enforce, EnviCrimeNet, Eurojust, Frontex, GI-TOC, IMPEL, NGO Shipbreaking Platform, OzonAction, Wolfsberg Group, World Resources Institute.
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
Source: Justice.gov
