During the first quarter of 2026, the Operational Team for Combating Environmental Crime carried out intensive activities aimed at improving coordination with the competent institutions and increasing the efficiency of handling environmental crime cases.

The focus of its work was on monitoring and analysing cases in this area, with particular emphasis on cases attracting heightened public interest that are currently at the preliminary inquiry stage before the competent state prosecutor’s offices. In these cases, measures and actions prescribed by law are being undertaken to establish the relevant facts necessary for making final decisions.

Through continuous communication with state prosecutor’s offices and other relevant institutions, the Operational Team worked to identify key challenges in proceedings and improve inter-institutional cooperation. To this end, concrete activities were undertaken to improve the exchange of information and coordinate joint measures aimed at more effective prosecution of environmental crime.

During the reporting period, meetings were held with representatives of relevant institutions, at which concrete steps were defined to combat illegal activities that have a negative impact on the environment. Cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior was initiated with the aim of more effectively preventing the commission of these criminal offences, particularly in relation to the unauthorised exploitation of gravel.

Members of the Operational Team also actively participated in international activities and experience-exchange programmes, with the aim of applying modern standards and strengthening capacities in the areas of environmental protection and criminal prosecution.

In the coming period, the Operational Team will continue implementing coordinated activities, with a particular focus on strengthening institutional cooperation and achieving concrete results in combating environmental crime and protecting the environment.