At least 34 people have been detained by Poland’s Central Police Investigation Bureau in the culmination of a year-long investigation into an organized crime ring involved in illegal trade in waste
The investigation involved police forces and Environmental Inspection offices from three Polish provinces. The suspects face a total of 17,000 charges, including managing an organized network, breaking environmental laws, money laundering and forgery.
Prosecutor Magdalena Guga of the Łódź Economic Crime Department, told TVP World: “The investigation covers illegal handling of waste including dangerous waste such as chemicals and dyes.”
Although the criminal network operated in many parts of Poland, its illegal dumping sites were found mostly in the north of the country. “The waste was dumped mainly in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province,” Guga added.
Polish and EU law has strict procedures on the handling of potentially harmful waste such as solvents or dyes. Owing to the costs and procedures associated with processing waste chemicals, a shadow economy has developed for those who want to get rid of their products quickly.
“This is not an easy matter and some unfortunately choose to deal with hazardous waste, as we say over here, with the ‘into the forest’ method,” the Environmental Inspectorate for the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province told TVP World.
Environmental activists claim illegal hazardous waste disposal thrives in Poland due to underfunding of the state environmental protection institutions. Marek Józefiak, Greenpeace Poland spokesperson, expressed dismay that civil servants are offered a minimum wage to deal with complex waste management issues, creating an environment where a garbage mafia can operate.
“The reason for so many problems with waste management in Poland is the weakness and underfinancing of state environmental protection institutions,” he told TVP World. “Until our politicians start taking environmental protection seriously, such scandals will remain a daily occurrence.”
Prosecutor Magdalena Guga of the Łódź Economic Crime Department, told TVP World: “The investigation covers illegal handling of waste including dangerous waste such as chemicals and dyes.”
Although the criminal network operated in many parts of Poland, its illegal dumping sites were found mostly in the north of the country. “The waste was dumped mainly in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province,” Guga added.
Polish and EU law has strict procedures on the handling of potentially harmful waste such as solvents or dyes. Owing to the costs and procedures associated with processing waste chemicals, a shadow economy has developed for those who want to get rid of their products quickly.
“This is not an easy matter and some unfortunately choose to deal with hazardous waste, as we say over here, with the ‘into the forest’ method,” the Environmental Inspectorate for the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province told TVP World.
Environmental activists claim illegal hazardous waste disposal thrives in Poland due to underfunding of the state environmental protection institutions. Marek Józefiak, Greenpeace Poland spokesperson, expressed dismay that civil servants are offered a minimum wage to deal with complex waste management issues, creating an environment where a garbage mafia can operate.
“The reason for so many problems with waste management in Poland is the weakness and underfinancing of state environmental protection institutions,” he told TVP World. “Until our politicians start taking environmental protection seriously, such scandals will remain a daily occurrence.”
Source: TVP WORLD
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