A major environmental investigation has been launched in Malaga after authorities uncovered the illegal dumping of 167,000 tonnes of construction waste – including hazardous materials such as asbestos.
The Guardia Civil has placed 12 individuals and three companies under investigation as part of Operation Cover, a crackdown on alleged environmental crimes linked to the construction sector.
Illegal dumps hidden in rural Axarquia
According to investigators, those involved are professionals connected to construction and earthmoving who systematically bypassed legal waste disposal procedures.
Instead of using authorised treatment plants, they allegedly turned rural land in the Axarquia into unlicensed dumping grounds, avoiding the significant costs associated with proper waste management.
The scale of the operation has raised serious concerns among environmental authorities.
Asbestos and toxic risks
Among the materials dumped were substances described as ‘highly dangerous’, including asbestos, a known carcinogen that poses severe health risks if disturbed.
The Guardia Civil has warned that the environmental impact could be far-reaching.
Potential risks include contamination of groundwater from toxic runoff, increased fire hazards due to flammable materials and the release of dangerous fibres into the air if asbestos-containing waste is mishandled.
Case handed to prosecutors
The suspects are being investigated for alleged crimes against the environment, with the case now passed to Malaga’s environmental prosecutor.
The probe highlights ongoing concerns over illegal dumping in southern Spain, where enforcement gaps and high disposal costs continue to incentivise rogue operators within the construction industry.
If proven, the offences could carry significant financial penalties and potential jail sentences.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
