Noto illegal waste dump seized; 53‑year‑old man charged

After weeks of surveillance using drones and field patrols, the Forest Corps detachments of Noto and Buccheri uncovered an illegal disposal operation of non‑hazardous special waste in the Noto area of Sicily. Waste from demolition sites was hidden in dug‑out pits on land owned by the suspect’s brother, who was unaware of the activity. The 53‑year‑old resident of Noto was charged with illegal management, concealment and burial of the waste, and the seized area was validated by the Siracusa prosecutor’s office.

The operation, described by Forest Corps director Filadelfo Brogna as involving continuous shifts over several weeks, received praise from regional environment assessor Giusi Savarino and forest chief Dorotea Di Trapani. Authorities said the raid may be the first step in exposing a broader network of illicit waste handling linked to the recent construction boom.