In the Centola area, specifically in the Palinuro district, law enforcement officers have put an end to an illegal activity that had long been defacing an area of environmental value. A plot of land measuring approximately 1.500 square meters, located in Portigliola, just a short distance from the banks of the Lambro River, had been transformed into a veritable illegal landfill.
The joint raid by the Coast Guard and the Carabinieri Forestali
The operation began on March 4, 2026, thanks to an investigation coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Vallo della Lucania. The Coast Guard Environmental Police Operations Unit of Palinuro, together with the Pisciotta Forestry Carabinieri, executed a precautionary seizure order issued by the investigating judge of the Vallo della Lucania Court.
Over 1.000 cubic meters of non-hazardous hazardous waste were found on site. The seizure not only affected the entire area, but also four vehicles used for the illegal transport and dumping of the material. Hidden camera investigations documented daily spills. The illegal activities were not sporadic, but continuous and systematic.
Thanks to the installation of hidden video surveillance systems, investigators documented waste dumping on a daily basis, often multiple times a day. Among the eight individuals under investigation for waste dumping are some employees of a company that manages an authorized collection center.
This aggravates the situation, suggesting a possible abuse of a position of trust in the waste management sector. Environmental damage in a protected area. The area falls within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park and is subject to landscape restrictions.
The spill near the Lambro River represents a concrete risk to the river ecosystem and the landscape of one of the most beautiful and protected areas of Campania. The preventive seizure immediately stopped the recurrence of the crime, blocking further illicit disposals.
The investigation continues. The eight individuals listed as suspects are under investigation at large. Criminal responsibility will be determined only at the end of the judicial proceedings, respecting the presumption of innocence.
The Vallo della Lucania Public Prosecutor's Office continues to monitor the phenomenon to prevent further environmental degradation in Cilento. This operation underscores the joint commitment of the Coast Guard and the Carabinieri Forestry Corps to combat environmental crimes, especially in areas of high natural value.
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