Europol coordinated a multinational crackdown that produced more than 330 arrests and extensive searches across 70 countries in a probe of organized networks accused of defrauding public procurement and exporting hazardous waste illegally. Investigators reported widespread document forgery and financial fraud used to disguise illegal shipments and profit from fraudulent waste contracts.

Law enforcement agencies acting with Europol executed a complex multinational operation against transnational criminal groups that allegedly profited from fraudulent public procurement and the illegal export of hazardous waste. Authorities said coordinated raids across dozens of jurisdictions led to over 330 arrests, seizure of documentation and evidence, and disruption of criminal logistics used to move contaminated materials beyond regulatory oversight. Investigators described systematic document forgery, falsified waste declarations, and financial fraud schemes that concealed costs and diverted contract payments to shell companies and intermediaries. Beyond the financial crime dimension, officials highlighted significant environmental and public health risks posed by improperly handled hazardous waste, which can result in contamination and long-term remediation costs for affected communities. The operation reflected growing cross-border cooperation to target organized crime groups that blend white-collar fraud methods with environmental offenses, and it emphasized the importance of stronger procurement safeguards and international information sharing to prevent similar schemes.