BUHOCI, Romania – Water management inspectors in eastern Romania have uncovered an illegal mineral extraction operation along the Siret River in Bacău County, authorities said.
Inspectors from the Siret River Basin Administration (ABA Siret) discovered the activity on March 24 during a field inspection in the rural outskirts of Buhoci, where aggregates were being extracted from the river terrace without the required permits.
According to officials, the operation was carried out by two commercial companies and the extracted material was being transported to a business located in the same commune for commercial use.
Authorities said inspectors caught the activity in the act, confirming that the works were being conducted without any regulatory approvals or permits issued by the competent authority.
Measurements taken on site revealed the scale of the environmental impact. Inspectors identified an exploited area of approximately 6,400 square meters, from which an estimated 23,500 cubic meters of mineral aggregates had been extracted.
The excavations also intersected the groundwater layer across about 1,000 square meters, raising concerns about potential effects on local water resources. In addition, inspectors found piles of stripped soil and overburden totaling roughly 2,800 cubic meters.
Officials warned that such interventions can significantly disrupt aquatic ecosystems and river dynamics, while also posing risks to groundwater reserves in the surrounding area.
Given the seriousness of the case, the Siret River Basin Administration has filed a criminal complaint with law enforcement authorities, with the activities classified as environmental offenses under Romanian law.
The institution said inspections will continue in the region and pledged firm action against illegal exploitation of natural resources, stressing that protecting watercourses and the environment remains a priority.
