Dutch authorities have searched two properties and seized a company’s business records in an investigation into the alleged illegal export of 12,000 metric tons of garbage.
The government’s Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate announced the investigation Wednesday, a day after it conducted searches in the southern city of Venlo.
The inspectorate says that a suspect is believed to have exported the garbage to countries in Africa and Asia, without the necessary permits. It did not elaborate.
The man, whose identity was not released, also is suspected of money laundering. During the searches, officials seized tens of thousands of euros (dollars) and valuable goods including expensive watches.