Criminal Investigations

Criminal Investigation Topics

Special Agents

Electronic Crimes

Area & Resident Offices

EPA's Criminal Enforcement Program investigates the most significant and egregious violators of environmental laws that pose a significant threat to human health and the environment; and to provide state-of-the-art training to our employees and our partners in international, federal, tribal, state, local law enforcement, regulatory and intelligence agencies. EPA's Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training administers this program through its Criminal Investigation Division.

EPA's Criminal Investigation responsibilities

The EPA investigates allegations of criminal wrongdoing prohibited by various environmental statutes. Such investigations involve, but are not limited to:

• the illegal disposal of hazardous waste
• the export of hazardous waste without the permission of the receiving country
• the illegal discharge of pollutants to a water of the United States; the removal and disposal of regulated asbestos containing materials in a manner inconsistent with the law and regulations
• the illegal importation of certain restricted or regulated chemicals into the United States
• tampering with a drinking water supply
• mail fraud
• wire fraud
• conspiracy and money laundering relating to environmental criminal activities.

EPA Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers with statutory authority to conduct investigations, carry firearms, make arrests for any federal crime and to execute and serve any warrant.

EPA CID Today

Today, EPA has Criminal Investigation offices located in 15 Area Offices and 29 Resident Offices throughout the country. EPA participates nationwide in a multitude of environmental crime task forces. Our partners in these task forces consist of other federal law enforcement agencies, Offices of the U.S. Attorney, as well as state and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies. EPA continually strives to develop an organization that values personnel with diverse educational and on-the-job experience, encourages innovative approaches to achieve agency goals, and enriches itself with a high degree of pride and commitment by employees at all levels.

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