Italy Seizes Renewable Energy Assets Allegedly Used by Mob in Money Laundering

ROME—Italy announced Sept. 12 that law enforcement officers, including specially trained environmental police, had seized an estimated $1.9 billion in assets, mostly tied to the renewable energy sector, in the country’s largest single bust against organized crime.

The army general who oversaw the investigation and raids said the haul proved that Italy’s organized crime families were using the renewable energy sector to help launder funds and to disguise illegal activities.

The assets seized included more than 40 companies—most in the renewable energy sector—plus hundreds of tracts of land, buildings, bank accounts, and securities. Almost all came from the southern island ...