OLAF supports major cross-border operation into hazardous waste trafficking network

Press release no. 11/2026
PDF version

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has played an important role in supporting the operation code-named Coal of the Alps (Carbone delle Alpi), which uncovered a complex cross-border scheme involving systemic circumvention of EU’s waste legislation. The case exposed a sophisticated criminal network active in Italy, Austria, Germany, Croatia, Serbia and Switzerland. It was led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Trento, and coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Directorate and in close cooperation with Carabinieri – in particular Nucleo Operativo Ecologico di Trento, other Italian authorities, Europol, Eurojust and national authorities across Member States.

OLAF’s analytical work and information-sharing were instrumental in mapping cross-border flows of pyro-gasification ashes and derived products. These were placed on the EU market under misleading classifications. OLAF also supported identifying how a network of interconnected companies operated across borders. 

The operation began in 2022. It revealed that these ashes, far from being harmless by-products, contained high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxins. These are substances classified as hazardous due to their persistence in the environment and their serious risks to human health. Exposure to PAHs is linked to different types of cancer, foetal development complications and cardiovascular issues. Their transformation into consumer and agricultural products such as barbecue briquettes, soil improvers and construction additives meant that harmful pollutants could enter everyday environments, from food preparation to farming and infrastructure. This represents a direct threat not only to public health but also to environmental safety across the EU. 

OLAF gathered evidence related to the volume of the illegal traffic to evaluate the magnitude of the phenomenon in the EU and beyond. It also facilitated the exchange of intelligence between national authorities and engaged with them to prompt further actions and prevent potential damage to the health of the consumers and the environment. You can read more about the operation in the press release of Eurojust. 

Director-General of OLAF Petr Klement stated: “This case shows how environmental crime and fraud are increasingly intertwined. OLAF’s role is to ensure that EU rules are not only respected on paper but enforced in practice, especially when their circumvention threatens both citizens’ safety and the level playing field of the internal market. Close cooperation across borders remains essential to detect and stop such complex schemes.”

OLAF continues to support national authorities in addressing fraud and wrongdoing linked to environmental and waste management, where illicit practices can have far-reaching consequences for public health, ecosystems, and the credibility of the European Union’s green transition.

OLAF mission, mandate and competences:

OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop wrongdoings related to EU funds.

OLAF fulfils its mission by:

• carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
• contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
• developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:

• all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
• some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
• suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

For further details:

Pierluigi CATERINO
Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335  
Email: olaf-mediaec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
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