GNR detains 16 in Cloaca Máxima probe into illegal sludge dumping on farmland

The operation

The GNR's Braga territorial command ran the 'Cloaca Máxima' operation between 10 and 12 November, targeting an alleged scheme to send sludge from wastewater treatment plants (ETAR) and industrial activities to farmland and forest land without meeting legal conditions. The Guarda Nacional Republicana announced the results on Thursday, 12 November, after an investigation that began about two years earlier. The GNR says it gathered evidence of pollution, document forgery, computer forgery, money laundering and criminal association, involving waste operators, transporters and others allegedly acting in concert. Media reports place searches on Wednesday, 11 November, including in Setúbal. In total, 36 search warrants were executed (15 for homes, 13 at waste management companies and 8 at public bodies), along with 16 detention warrants across nine districts from Braga to Évora.

Homes15

Waste management companies13

Public entities8

Homes

15 warrants

Waste management companies

13 warrants

Public entities

8 warrants

Data from the article text

Seized material and evidence

Items seized include 279,160 euros in cash, 8,003 US dollars, three luxury watches and thousands of accounting, financial and administrative documents. The GNR also cites electronic records pointing to destinations or operations different from those actually carried out, and possible manipulation of samples used in sludge management plans. JN reports that one manager of the companies concerned kept about 150,000 euros in a bag at home. The investigation, run by the DIAP in Guimarães, has strong indications that the suspects formed a waste cartel from 2019. Searches also reached offices of Águas do Norte, Centro Litoral, Tejo Atlântico and the regional coordination commissions (CCDR) of Lisbon and Alentejo, where documents were collected.

Mobile phones39

Laptops17

USB storage devices13

Tablets5

Mobile phones

39 items

Laptops

17 items

USB storage devices

13 items

Tablets

5 items

Data from the article text

Method and environmental risks

According to the GNR, the material was spread on farmland and forest land without the treatment, quality controls and agricultural planning the law requires. The statement described the paperwork this way:

“The sludge would be presented on paper as organic compost, giving an appearance of regularity to its transport and later use.”

The GNR also warned about the risk to land and water:

“These practices may compromise the quality of soils and water resources, and microorganisms relevant to environmental and health risk assessment were found in some samples analysed.”

JN reports that forensic analyses of agricultural fields where the sludge was deposited found soils containing salmonella and E. coli bacteria. Media reports note that it cannot yet be said that all the land is affected. The GNR also stated that the method would avoid the costs of proper treatment and disposal of the waste.

Alleged cartel and next steps

JN describes the network as the 'Cartel das ETAR', saying 16 business operators and intermediaries are suspected of illegal discharges onto farmland and of profiting by millions of euros. The outlet says about 200 GNR personnel were mobilised for dozens of searches. The 16 people are suspects, and none of the reports describes a court ruling. One outlet says the seized material will serve as evidence in the judicial proceedings ahead, though no date for them is given.