Environmental Crime

The FBI investigates criminal cases that have violated U.S. laws intended to protect the environment, human health, worker safety, and animal welfare

The FBI works with its local, state, and federal partners to investigate criminal cases against individuals and businesses that have violated U.S. laws intended to protect the environment, human health, worker safety, and animal welfare.

Environmental crime is a broad category of offenses that include timber and wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, illegal waste trade, pollution, and animal cruelty (such as dogfighting, cockfighting, and animal torture). Each of these offenses is often associated with other crimes, including corruption, fraud, and violent crimes. Environmental crime is the third largest area of criminal activity in the world, generating up to $280 billion in illicit revenue a year.

Federal agency partners include the DOJ Environmental Crime Section, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and others. The FBI supports numerous local task forces and national partnerships, such as the DOJ TIMBER Working Group to combat illegal logging. 

Oil Rig Elly

Oil rigs connected to an oil spill.

What We Investigate 

The FBI and partners investigate criminal violations of these environmental statutes:

  • Clean Air Act: Calls for states and the EPA to solve multiple air pollution problems through programs based on the latest science and technology information.

  • Clean Water Act: Establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters.

  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: Regulates hazardous waste storage, transport, and disposal.

  • Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act: Regulates pesticide use in the U.S. and prohibits certain dangerous pesticides.

  • Lacey Act: Combats illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish, and plants.

  • Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Implements four international conservation treaties that the U.S. entered into with Canada in 1916, Mexico in 1936, Japan in 1972, and Russia in 1976. It is intended to ensure the sustainability of populations of all protected migratory bird species.

  • Endangered Species Act: Provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found.

  • Animal Welfare Act: Regulates the treatment of animals in research, teaching, testing, exhibition, transport, and by dealers.

  • Occupational Safety and Health Act: Protects worker safety. 
Investigating Environmental Crimes: The Huntington Oil Spill

Investigating Environmental Crimes: The Huntington Oil Spill

The FBI and partners used groundbreaking techniques and advanced technology to investigate the 2021 disaster.



Tracking Animal Cruelty

Tracking Animal Cruelty

Acts of cruelty against animals are now counted in the FBI’s criminal database.

How to Report Environmental Crimes 

Submit a tip to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov, contact your local FBI field office, or call 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324).

In some cases, crimes should also be reported to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips. 

Environmental Crime News