WITH THE PROJECT “MOBILE TEAM” THE POLICE FOCUS ON WASTE DUMPING. THREE-DAY OPERATION IN 33 ITALIAN PROVINCES
The project “Flying Squad” is aimed at combating offenses in the field of waste. A recent one operation of the Police lasted three days, from 13 to 15 May and in thirty-three Italian provinces it controlled waste storage and disposal activities. The aim was to ascertain and sanction the multiple forms of illegality in the delicate sector of environmental protection.
Abandonment of waste: national police operation
The very complex verification activities were coordinated by the SCO (Central Operations Service). The agents of the flying squads and the SISCO (Investigation Sections of the Central Operational Service) operated non-stop for three days.
In some areas, specialist support from the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPA) and the Traffic Police was also needed; as well as some peripheral structures of the National Port Authority Corps.
Over 168 suspicious areas were subjected to control, 40 of which were seized. More than 1,763 subjects identified; 103 people were reported free for crimes related toillicit waste management; 2 people were arrested in flagrante delicto and over 85 administrative violations were detected for an amount exceeding 200 thousand euros.
The results of the operation in Northern Italy
In particular, several waste storage and car demolition sites were monitored in the province of Turin. The agents seized an area of over 1500 m2, reported 8 people and imposed administrative fines of 130 thousand euros; while in the province of Verbania Cusio Ossola, 3 storage sites were checked and a person reported for the collection and disposal of illegal waste.
In the province of Turin, several waste storage and car demolition sites were checked. The agents seized an area of over 1,500 square meters, reported 8 people and imposed administrative fines of 130 thousand euros. In the province of Verbania Cusio Ossola, however, 3 storage sites were checked and a person reported for collecting and disposing of illegal waste.
Finally, in the Rovigo area, a demolition company in the Po delta area was checked and seized and the owner was reported for the crimes envisaged by the Consolidated environmental law. Furthermore, high administrative fines of around 7,500 euros.
Lazio and Campania: waste everywhere, even dangerous
In the province of Rome, a private area of over 6 thousand square meters used as a warehouse for special and dangerous waste was controlled and seized. Several foreign citizens were found inside the site carrying out waste storage tasks.
In Latina the checks involved a waste treatment and disposal company, two pieces of land and an abandoned industrial site. In particular, within the former industrial site (formerly Pozzi Ginori in Latina, ed.), the presence of large quantities of solid urban waste, slabs in fiber cementconstruction waste, household appliances, various types of electronic equipment, tyres, furniture and burnt waste.
«The Flying Squad sent to the local Public Prosecutor’s Office a crime report against unknown persons for abandonment and illicit burning of waste and violation of the seals, arranging for a new affixing through the placement of chains on the gates and the positioning of new jersey in concrete at the access gates».
In Campania, near Avellino, 4 people were reported for various violations of the consolidated environmental law. In Benevento, 3 areas used for waste disposal were seized and the respective owners were reported for abandonment of waste, waste management without the required authorizations and environmental pollution. In the province of Caserta, 3 areas were seized and 4 people were reported for carrying out car repair activities without authorisation, environmental pollution, unauthorized exercise of activities with a high environmental impact and receiving stolen goods.
Abandonment of waste: complaints and seizures also in the South
Six areas were seized in the province of Reggio Calabria, where irregularities related to the use of painting ovens emerged. In the province of Vibo Valentia, an area used for the retail trade of vehicle parts and accessories has been seized. The owner was reported for the crimes of abandonment of waste and unauthorized management of this activity.
In Puglia, crimes were found in both the provinces of Foggia and Taranto. In the first, 12 areas were controlled and 6 rooms were seized because they were used as a car garage. During the activities, 4 people were reported for unauthorized waste and recycling management. Near Taranto, however, 4 areas were seized and 12 people reported for abandoning waste and unauthorized management of the business. A person was also arrested in the act for possession and dealing of narcotic substances.
In Sicily, in the province of Syracuse, 14 sites used for waste disposal were checked, 7 of which were seized due to the numerous irregularities found. Near Caltanissetta, 4 areas were also seized due to the presence of abandoned waste and material eternity and ferrous. During the operations, 7 people were reported for uncontrolled storage. In the Trapani area, a person was arrested for unauthorized management of waste and illicit burning of waste; 5 people reported for abandoning waste and environmental pollution.