Europol has successfully coordinated a large-scale operation targeting organised 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, with Europol working alongside partners from 71 countries and numerous international organisations.
The participants’ aim was to significantly disrupt criminal networks engaged in environmental crime, waste trafficking, pollution, money laundering, tax evasion and corruption, thus protecting societies and the environment from serious risks. Starting with an intelligence phase between January to June 2025, the operational phase took place from July to December 2025.
During the operation, the participants conducted 1,048 inspections globally, leading to the arrest of 337 individuals.
In total, the seizures include:
- 127,149 tonnes of waste
- 602 tonnes of polluting agents, including 398 tonnes of fluorinated greenhouse gases
- 75 tonnes of plant protection products
- 2.3 tonnes of mercury
- nearly EUR10m in cash and bank accounts
- key evidence, 130 vehicles, heavy machinery, firearms, apartments and companies.