A 12-month worldwide operation targeting organised crime networks involved in waste and pollution crime has uncovered 398 tonnes of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
The operation, Custos Viridis (Latin for Green Guardian), coordinated by Europol, took place between January and December 2025. Europol worked alongside partners from 71 countries and numerous international organisations on five continents.
Several organised crime networks were identified as responsible for trafficking illicit waste within Europe and exporting waste to Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Among other offences, these networks were also found to be involved in the illicit marketing of F-gas, the illegal trade of plant protection products, and illicit gold mining activities using hazardous chemicals like mercury and cyanide.
The operation uncovered increased illicit trade in F-gas originating from Asia and entering the EU through its western borders or via North Africa.
In total, 1,048 inspections were carried out globally, leading to the arrest of 337 individuals.
