Polish police on October 1 arrested the 50‑year‑old president of a waste‑management firm and ten others, while the judge detains four suspects in the “garbage mafia” crackdown.
Police Arrest The Firm President and Ten Employees
On 1 October, officers from the Economic Crime Division of the KWP in Radom, assisted by counter‑terrorist units from Radom, Opole, Wrocław and environmental inspectors, detained the 50‑year‑old president of a waste‑management company and 10 other individuals at the company’s headquarters. Two employees were caught during loading and unloading operations. A prosecutor observed the arrests.
Judicial Proceedings and Temporary Detentions
On 2 October, the prosecutor presented charges—including leading an organized crime group, environmental offenses and falsifying documents—to the court and requested temporary detentions. The court approved detentions for four suspects and imposed preventive measures on five others, including bail, supervision and travel bans. The president will spend three months in detention.
Scope of the Investigation and Previous Arrests
Over several years, the Warsaw‑based Police Department has investigated nationwide organised crime groups that use companies to commit environmental crimes, falsify documents and commit tax fraud. More than 70 people have been arrested in the “garbage mafia” case, most of whom have faced charges; a few remain in custody.
Legal Charges and Potential Sentences
The prosecution alleges the suspects orchestrated illegal waste handling, including dealing with hazardous waste, fake waste trade, issuing unreliable documents and committing financial crimes. Convictions could carry up to 15 years of imprisonment.
Police Cooperation Across Regions
The operation involved cooperation between the Radom police, counter‑terrorist units from Opole and Wrocław, the Environmental Protection Inspectorate and the prosecutor’s office from Łódź. The investigation follows the multi‑regional approach of the KWP, targeting criminal networks that exploit legitimate business entities.
