# Croatia illegal waste disposal investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatia-illegal-waste-disposal-investigation
> Updated: 2026-10-19T05:07:55.000Z. Sources: 55. Developments: 2.

USKOK has expanded an investigation into an illegal waste disposal scheme involving 14 individuals and four legal entities. The probe focuses on the illegal burial of hazardous waste in Gospić, Benkovac, and Senj, including areas within the Velebit Nature Park.

Investigators allege that approximately 6,500 tons of waste were buried at a quarry in Benkovac, and at least 2,890.23 tons of hazardous waste were disposed of at the Senj landfill. Recent arrests include a Zagreb jeweler and an official from the Senj Municipal Utility Company. The suspects face charges of environmental crimes and forgery of official or business documents as part of a criminal organization.

## Claims

- Police discovered one of the largest illegal cigarette factories in Europe near Lendava, Slovenia. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- At least 34 foreign nationals, including 33 from Paraguay and one from Bulgaria, were held in the facility. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The factory contained 44 tons of tobacco and 14 million cigarettes. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Workers were held in inhumane conditions, working 12-hour shifts without pay and under constant surveillance. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The workers were transported to Slovenia via Zagreb. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Workers were victims of human trafficking, lured by false promises of high monthly salaries up to 10,000 euros. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The facility was equipped with modern production lines for tobacco processing, cigarette manufacturing, and packaging. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The evaded excise duties are estimated to exceed 9.8 million euros. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Lendava illegal cigarette factory uncovered in Slovenia

Slovenian police dismantled a massive illegal cigarette factory near Lendava, rescuing 34 trafficking victims held in inhumane conditions. Authorities seized 44 tons of tobacco and 14 million cigarettes.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenia-and-croatia-uncover-large-illegal-cigarette-factories

### 2026-10-07: Croatia waste scandal: USKOK expands investigation into illegal disposal

USKOK has expanded its investigation into an illegal waste disposal ring in Croatia, involving 14 suspects and the illegal burial of tens of thousands of tons of waste in Senj, Benkovac, and Gospić.

47 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/milan-kneevi-summoned-by-police-over-ratko-mladi-posts

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Cite as: Croatia illegal waste disposal investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatia-illegal-waste-disposal-investigation