Meghan Hodges
Pollution crimes are illegal activities that directly harm the environment, wildlife, biodiversity, and natural resources. They are often committed by businesses and individuals seeking to increase their profit margins, regardless of the environmental impact. Pollution crimes take various forms, including waste crime, marine pollution crime, illicit trafficking in chemicals, and carbon trading crime. These crimes have serious consequences for environmental sustainability, public health, safety, and quality of life. International organizations such as Interpol and the United Nations are working to combat pollution crimes through intelligence-led operations, training, and capacity building to support law enforcement efforts. Pollution crimes are among the most profitable criminal activities globally, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and dedicated enforcement strategies to address this pressing issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | An illegal act that directly or indirectly harms the environment |
| Examples | Illegal logging, mining, fishing, waste disposal, toxic spills, air pollution, illegal discharges from vessels, ocean dumping, ship breaking, runoff from land and rivers, illegal shark finning, asbestos removal, pollution from ships in international waters, illegal road grading, illegal equipment sales, illegal pesticide sales, illegal hunting, illegal cutting of forest plantations |
| Enforcement | Interpol, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, CSXT Police Environment Crimes Unit, G7, European Union, United Nations Environment Program, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute |
| Cost of Enforcement | Over $10 million per year to remove illegal dumping |
| Cost of Non-Compliance | Violations of Russia's environmental protection laws cost the country $187 million in 2018 |
| Prosecution | Prosecutions are typically brought by the U.S. Department of Justice through its Environmental Crimes Section and/or through one of the 94 U.S. Attorney's Offices across the country |
| Punishment | Prison time, fines, prosecutions |
| Drivers | High-reward, low-risk business model, exploitation of regional inequalities, weak environmental legislation, and law enforcement capacity |
| Prevention | Multi-disciplinary training of investigators, establishing permanent multi-agency task forces, systematic data collection and analysis, intelligence-led operations, focusing on high-value targets |
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What You'll Learn
Illegal waste dumping
The reasons behind illegal waste dumping vary, but research indicates that a primary factor is the lack of accessible and affordable legal waste disposal options. Unit pricing, where a set price is charged per bag of garbage, has also been found to contribute to the issue. People may opt for unauthorised dumping to save money, especially when legal disposal methods are costly. Additionally, weak enforcement of laws prohibiting illegal dumping and insufficient public awareness regarding its dangers are also contributing factors.
Illegal dumping can have severe health, environmental, and economic consequences. Legal waste disposal sites, such as landfills, are designed to contain waste and prevent harmful byproducts from contaminating the surrounding environment. In contrast, illegal dumping sites often lack these necessary safeguards, leading to soil contamination, water pollution, and air quality degradation. For example, hazardous chemicals disposed of illegally can endanger ecosystems and water supplies, while illegal dumping of construction waste can result in physical hazards for individuals accessing the dumping areas.
To combat illegal waste dumping, law enforcement agencies, such as INTERPOL, work in collaboration with member countries to prevent, detect, and disrupt pollution crimes. This includes intelligence-led operations, training, and capacity building to bring down criminal polluters. Technologies also play a crucial role in detecting and deterring illegal dumping offences, as demonstrated by a global enforcement operation in 2017 that revealed over 1,500 marine pollution violations.
Furthermore, addressing illegal dumping requires a comprehensive approach that includes outreach and education programs to raise public awareness. Employing apps and mapping technology can help monitor and identify frequent dumping locations, supporting local code enforcement actions and the creation of prosecutorial systems. By combining enforcement, technology, and community engagement, the fight against illegal waste dumping can be strengthened, ultimately protecting the environment and the well-being of communities affected by this criminal activity.
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Marine pollution
The types of marine pollution include marine debris, plastic pollution (including microplastics), ocean acidification, nutrient pollution, toxins, and underwater noise. Plastic pollution, in particular, poses significant risks to marine life, with plastic items taking hundreds of years to decompose. Animals often mistake plastic bags for food, and small organisms absorb the chemicals from broken-down plastic into their tissues.
To combat marine pollution, global efforts have been made to strengthen legal frameworks and enhance cooperation. INTERPOL's Pollution Crime Working Group and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) Global Maritime Crime Programme are examples of initiatives aimed at holding perpetrators accountable and protecting marine ecosystems. Additionally, countries like China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, which are among the largest emitters of oceanic plastic pollution, have enacted regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items.
Despite these efforts, marine pollution remains a pressing issue. Criminals continue to exploit weaknesses in enforcement, and pollution crimes can be challenging to prosecute due to the involvement of multiple parties and the complexity of evidence collection. As coastal and island nations struggle with the consequences of environmental degradation, there is a growing need for stronger international cooperation and enforceable legislation to address marine pollution crimes effectively.
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Illicit chemical trafficking
The Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988 in the United States was a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at curbing the illicit trafficking of precursor and essential chemicals used in the manufacture of controlled substances, such as narcotics and psychotropic substances. This Act imposed stringent record-keeping and reporting requirements on transactions involving these chemicals, tableting machines, and encapsulating machines. The Act was successful in reducing the export of precursor chemicals from the US, which was previously the primary source for South American cocaine manufacturers.
However, as seen in the INTERPOL report, illicit chemical trafficking remains a global issue, often facilitated by transnational networks and innovative, adaptive, and sophisticated methods. Criminals exploit regional inequalities, such as weak environmental legislation and law enforcement capacity, to conduct their illicit activities. Pollution crimes can take various forms, including waste crime, marine pollution crime, and carbon trading crime. For instance, in one case, organized crime groups illegally exported municipal waste from the United Kingdom to Poland, causing numerous waste fires in the latter.
To combat illicit chemical trafficking and pollution crimes, international cooperation between police and environmental regulatory authorities is crucial. INTERPOL's Environmental Security Programme works with agencies in member countries to prevent, detect, and disrupt these crimes, dismantle criminal groups, and build a globally coordinated response. National enforcement agencies are also advised to focus on systematic data collection and intelligence-led operations to target high-value targets effectively.
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Wildlife crime
One of the most pressing issues in wildlife crime is the targeting of iconic and endangered species such as elephants, rhinos, and tigers. These species are sought after for their valuable body parts, such as ivory tusks, horns, and fur, which are traded on the black market and used in traditional medicines. Poaching is the most immediate threat to wild tigers, with their parts also being used as status symbols in certain Asian cultures. In 1989, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned the international trade in ivory, yet unregulated domestic ivory markets persist, fueling illegal international trade.
To combat wildlife crime, organizations like INTERPOL's Wildlife Enforcement team and the WWF work closely with governments and international organizations. INTERPOL's Wildlife Crime Working Group devises strategies and coordinates operations to capture wildlife criminals, seize poached items, and dismantle criminal networks. They have successfully identified suspects, made arrests, and seized illicit products worth millions of dollars. The WWF, through its global network and influence, is leading a campaign to stop wildlife crime and preserve species from extinction.
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Pollution as organised crime
Pollution crimes impact our health, safety, and the environment on a daily basis. They take various forms, such as waste crime, marine pollution crime, illicit trafficking in chemicals, and carbon trading crime. Pollution crimes are driven by a high-reward, low-risk business model, where criminals exploit regional inequalities, weak environmental legislation, and law enforcement capacity. These crimes are often committed by transnational networks and facilitated by document fraud, financial crimes, tax evasion, money laundering, bribery, extortion, and fraud.
An INTERPOL report revealed that pollution crime is highly profitable and organized, with suspects ranging from businessmen and women operating under legitimate firms to centralized mafia or gang-style criminal groups. The report emphasizes the need for greater attention to pollution crime investigations and multidisciplinary training for investigators. National enforcement agencies should collect and analyze data on criminal networks to conduct intelligence-led operations.
One example of pollution as organized crime is the case of John Mills, a New York real estate owner, who directed the unlawful removal of thermal system insulation containing asbestos from several occupied buildings. The material was transported and stored in a way that concealed it from authorities, endangering public health and the environment. Another example is the Tonawanda Coke Corporation, which operated an unpermitted coke oven gas emission source for 19 years, releasing hazardous air pollutants.
To combat pollution crimes, INTERPOL's Environmental Security Programme works with agencies in member countries to prevent, detect, and disrupt these crimes, and bring down criminal networks. In 2018, a global enforcement operation tackled the illegal disposal of hazardous waste, resulting in over 15,000 inspections and more than 1,500 marine pollution violations. While efforts are being made to address pollution crimes, they continue to pose significant threats to environmental sustainability, public health, and quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
Pollution crime is an illegal act that directly or indirectly harms the environment. It includes the unlawful exploitation of wildlife, flora, and fauna, waste disposal, and trade. Pollution crimes take various forms, such as waste crime, marine pollution crime, illicit trafficking in chemicals, and carbon trading crime.
Some examples of pollution crimes include the following:
- Illegal discharges from vessels, ocean dumping, and ship emissions violations.
- Illegal dumping of industrial, construction, household, and medical waste.
- Unlawful recycling operations, such as mixing or mislabelling hazardous waste.
- Illegal logging, fishing, and mining.
- Air pollution from factories and vehicles.
- Illegal trade of endangered species.
Pollution crimes have significant impacts on the environment, wildlife, and human health and safety. They can destroy ecosystems, endanger plants and animals, and contaminate soil, water supplies, and the air we breathe. Pollution crimes can also have economic impacts, such as the costs of cleaning up illegal dumping and the loss of biodiversity.
International organizations such as Interpol and the United Nations, as well as national agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States, work to prevent, detect, and prosecute pollution crimes. Investigations may involve technical assessments, environmental forensics, and collaboration between law enforcement and environmental regulatory authorities. Prosecutions may result in fines, prison sentences, and other penalties for individuals and companies found guilty of pollution crimes.
