Illegal waste trafficking using the 'giro bolla' system: 9 precautionary measures in Salerno and Naples.

Nine precautionary measures were carried out by the Carabinieri of the Salerno Ecological Operations Unit and the Environmental Protection and Energy Security Unit of Naples, as part of an investigation coordinated by the Salerno Public Prosecutor's Office into illegal waste trafficking.

The preliminary investigations judge ordered two suspects held in prison, another person placed under house arrest, four people were ordered to remain in residence, one was banned from living in a residential area, and a one-year ban on engaging in business activities.

The suspects are charged, to varying degrees, with criminal conspiracy aimed at the illicit trafficking of waste and aggravated theft of large quantities of ferrous metal.

The investigation started in 2022

The investigation was launched in September 2022 by the Salerno NOE and, over the course of the investigations, was extended to several Italian regions and even some foreign countries.

Investigators allegedly reconstructed an organized system for the illegal management and disposal of various types of waste. Wiretaps, video recordings, and shadowing were used to document the activities.

The disputed incidents also include the alleged theft of ferrous materials, particularly those taken from construction sites of the Italian Railway Network.

The role of the Albanella company

One of the lines of investigation concerns the company Ricicla Campania, with registered office in San Giuseppe Vesuviano and operational headquarters in Albanella.

According to investigators' reconstruction, the company allegedly illegally handled bulky urban waste, mixed packaging, scrap metal, used tires, and plastic gaskets.

Some of the material was also apparently destined for foreign countries, including Thailand, through documentation that investigators believe to be false or irregular.

The ferrous scrap system

A second strand of the investigation apparently stemmed from the management of ferrous waste, which, according to the prosecution, the same company allegedly sold illegally to Cermetal Srl, a company believed by investigators to be owned by a family of local entrepreneurs and managed through a series of front men.

In one incident at the center of the investigation, over 5,1 million kilograms of ferrous scrap were allegedly illegally exported to Türkiye, listed in the documentation as material already recovered.

The “bubble tour” and non-existent companies

The investigations also revealed an alleged "bubble transfer" scheme, based on the use of documentation believed to be false and the use of companies that, according to the Prosecutor's Office, were found to be non-existent.

Through this mechanism, investigators believe that the traceability of waste would have been altered, allowing its movement and marketing outside of the procedures established by law.

Seizures for 3,4 million euros

The profit that investigators believe to be illicit has been estimated at approximately €3,4 million. This sum has been seized for confiscation.

Overall, five companies, 71 bank accounts, 15 cars and motorcycles, three apartments, four agricultural plots, eight trucks, and company plants were seized.

The investigation, coordinated by the Salerno Public Prosecutor's Office, continues to reconstruct all the stages of the alleged scheme and the possible responsibilities of those involved.