Terra dei Fuochi environmental crime arrests quadruple in 2026

Law enforcement authorities in the Terra dei Fuochi region have reported a significant increase in crackdowns on environmental crimes during the first nine months of 2026. Compared to the same period last year, arrests have quadrupled, while reports of offenses have increased by 168 percent. Additionally, seizures of production activities and vehicles have doubled.

During inspections, authorities checked approximately 67,000 vehicles, resulting in 271 revoked licenses and administrative sanctions exceeding seven million euros. Operations have also targeted illegal landfills, unauthorized workshops, and agricultural areas used for illicit waste disposal.

Concurrently, there has been a 14 percent decrease in waste-related fires, with 151 fewer incidents recorded. Specific declines in fires were noted in Caivano, Afragola, Mondragone, and Villa Literno. In the city of Naples, waste fires dropped from 488 in 2025 to 413 in 2026.