Seven individuals have been indicted in France for their involvement in a large-scale illegal waste trafficking operation from Belgium, as announced by the Lille prosecutor's office. The operation, which spanned from September 2024 to mid-April 2025, saw approximately 4,500 tons of waste illegally imported into France, generating an estimated profit of over one million euros. The waste, including construction debris, soil, sand, and plaster, was suspected to be contaminated with hazardous substances such as chromium and asbestos.

The Lille Interregional Specialized Jurisdiction took up the case in June 2024, investigating charges of organized fraud, active corruption, and criminal conspiracy. Five of the accused have been placed under judicial supervision, while the remaining two are in provisional detention. The operation's activities were concentrated in the Lille metropolitan area and Belgium, with the waste being illegally buried, burned, or dumped in municipal bins, or cheaply disposed of through a system of driver bribes.

Further investigations revealed an organized theft ring within a French and a Belgian company, where hundreds of tons of metals were stolen and later sold, primarily to China, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The resale of these stolen materials is estimated to have brought in a median profit of 1.2 million euros. The individuals involved in the waste trafficking, reportedly members of the same family, allegedly benefited from the complicity of certain employees within these companies.

This case highlights the challenges of cross-border environmental crime and the importance of international cooperation in tackling such illegal activities. The French and Belgian authorities' joint efforts have shed light on a sophisticated operation that not only flouted environmental regulations but also exploited legal and logistical loopholes for substantial financial gain.