Law enforcement from France and Spain, supported by Europol, have arrested 29 members of a criminal organisation for selling illegal plant protection products. The investigation revealed that the gang had sold 25 tonnes of these products, mainly in France. Investigators estimate that the suspects earned more than EUR 5 million from their illicit activities. 

The members of the gang were involved in environmental crime, money laundering and document fraud. They exploited business structures and coordinated a supply chain for illegal plant protection products based in Italy, Portugal and Spain since 2020.

The investigation was led by Spain (Guardia Civil). Given the complexity of the criminal network, the police operation was carried out in two phases: the first between June 2024 and January 2025 with the support of French authorities, and the second between June 2024 and January 2025 with the support of Italian authorities.

Overall results of the investigation:

• 29 arrests (22 in the first operation, 7 in the second)
• 26 tonnes of illegal pesticides seized
• 14 bank accounts frozen
• Criminal assets worth EUR 350 000 frozen

Europol’s expertise, key to success

Europol’s experts on environmental crime supported the investigation by providing analytical support and coordinating and facilitating the exchange of information between national authorities.

The investigation revealed a new criminal trend based on the use of coordinated structures and illicit supply chains to distribute unauthorised products, either because they have expired, are unregistered or lack the necessary authorisation.

The suspects used falsified documents to introduce these illegal products into the market, often disguising them as fertilizers or motor oils to avoid detection. They also camouflaged containers of illegal products and used foreign banks for transactions to make their operations more difficult to trace.

The gang was well organised, with each member playing a specific role to ensure the success of their criminal activities. This made the case especially challenging for investigators, as it was difficult to tackle such sophisticated criminal networks hidden behind legitimate businesses.

Criminal exploitation of legal businesses

More than 85% of criminal organisations exploit legal businesses to transport illicit goods, expand their influence and, as in this case, launder the proceeds of crime. This problem is widespread across all EU Member States and other global regions.

Europol is addressing this threat by bringing together law enforcement, regulatory bodies, the private sector and international allies to provide an integrated approach and reactive measures, targeting high-value targets through operational task forces.

Authorities involved in the investigation:

• France: French Gendarmerie (L'Office central de lutte contre les atteintes à l’environnement et à la santé publique, OCLAESP)
• Italy: Carabinieri – Health Protection Command (Comando Tutela della Salute)
• Spain: Spanish Guardia Civil
  

The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the EU. EMPACT strengthens intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT runs in four-year cycles focusing on common EU crime priorities.