The German investigation complex known as “Boden NRW” concerns allegations that contaminated soil and other waste were reclassified, mixed with other material or deposited at sites not authorised to receive them. It is not a single incident or case, but a group of connected investigations involving different individuals, companies and disposal sites.
First trial before Dortmund Regional Court
The first trial arising from the investigation complex began before Dortmund Regional Court on 7 April 2026. The 63-year-old defendant is accused of unlawful handling of waste, unauthorised operation of facilities requiring a permit, and gang-based and commercial fraud.
According to the Dortmund Public Prosecutor’s Office, the defendant allegedly worked together with other persons under separate investigation and accepted contracts for the disposal of contaminated soil and waste without providing the contractually required lawful disposal. Some material was allegedly reclassified, mixed with uncontaminated material and deposited at unauthorised sites. Clients and public authorities were allegedly led to believe that the waste had been disposed of lawfully.
One part of the indictment concerns approximately 23,000 tonnes of contaminated soil and other waste allegedly deposited permanently at a business site in Selfkant without the required waste-law permit. Prosecutors consider that some of the material constituted hazardous waste requiring disposal in facilities up to landfill class III. Proper disposal is estimated to cost at least EUR 1.3 million.
The same indictment also concerns approximately 24,000 tonnes of contaminated soil from a construction project in Dortmund that were allegedly transported to open-cast mining sites in Kamp-Lintfort which were not authorised to accept material with that level of contamination. The client was allegedly led to believe that the disposal was lawful, causing claimed losses exceeding EUR 360,000.
During a search in October 2025, investigators found more than EUR 120,000 in cash, 200 grams of gold and other valuables in the boot of a vehicle used by the defendant. Prosecutors have applied for their confiscation. The discovery does not, by itself, prove the environmental or fraud offences charged.
Further indictment concerning more than 125,000 tonnes of waste
In a separate indictment filed in March 2026, a 59-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman are accused of storing more than 125,000 tonnes of contaminated soil and other waste without the necessary permits at three business sites in the Heinsberg district from April 2021 onwards. According to prosecutors, approximately 45,000 tonnes were stored in Selfkant, 57,000 tonnes in Erkelenz and 23,500 tonnes in Wassenberg. The materials allegedly included hazardous waste, used catalysts and soils in different contamination classes.
The cost of lawful disposal in this second case is estimated at no less than EUR 6.5 million. Prosecutors have sought confiscation of a corresponding amount from the company involved. The accused are charged with unauthorised operation of facilities requiring a permit and unlawful handling of waste in especially serious cases.
Scope of the investigation complex
According to official information published in November 2025, the “Boden NRW” investigations concern more than 40 suspects and several companies. The cases are therefore significant not only because of the disposal sites, but also because of the commercial and transport chains, the allocation of responsibilities within companies, management responsibility and the alleged economic benefits of unlawful disposal.
The trial and further investigations remain ongoing. The allegations concerning conduct and responsibility are therefore charges brought by prosecutors, not facts established by a final judgment.
Legal sources
Dortmund Public Prosecutor’s Office, first indictment in the “Boden NRW” complex, 11 March 2026: Official release
Dortmund Public Prosecutor’s Office, further indictment concerning more than 125,000 tonnes of waste, 19 March 2026: Official release
North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament, status of the investigations, 12 November 2025: Official report
German Criminal Code: Section 263
German Criminal Code: Section 326
German Criminal Code: Section 327
German Criminal Code: Section 330