European crime gang made BBQ briquettes from toxic ashes: Italian police
Italian police have disrupted a European crime gang that allegedly turned toxic ashes into BBQ briquettes and fertilizers. The operation involved 19 individuals and three companies across multiple countries, with 12 arrests made. Investigators revealed that the gang profited from illegal waste trafficking while being protected by a provincial environmental agency.
- ▪The criminal group operated from Switzerland to Serbia, converting ashes with illegal pollutants into consumer products.
- ▪Twelve of the 19 individuals involved were arrested during a four-year investigation that included wiretaps.
- ▪The provincial environmental agency is accused of facilitating the illegal activities by misinterpreting regulations and delaying sanctions.
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European crime gang made BBQ briquettes from toxic ashes: Italian policeSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxThe alleged scheme involved turning ashes with illegal levels of pollutants into products such as barbeque briquettes and soil improvers.PHOTO: AFPPublished May 19, 2026, 08:53 PMUpdated May 19, 2026, 08:53 PMROME - Italian police said on May 19 they had disrupted a criminal group active from Switzerland to Serbia that allegedly turned toxic ashes into BBQ briquettes and fertiliser, while protected by the provincial environmental agency.Nineteen individuals and three companies are currently under investigation on suspicion of trans-national waste trafficking and fraud in the operation active in Italy, Austria, Germany, Croatia, Serbia and Switzerland, Italy’s…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.