Italy arrests seven in toxic-waste dumping

TURIN, Italy, May 29 (UPI) -- Italian police say they have broken up an operation in which toxic waste was dumped in the countryside around Turin and Alessandria.

Seven people were arrested in the case, including the head of a consortium that handled waste for 90 communities in the area.

Police told Italy's ANSA news agency Thursday that the consortium, which was partly owned by the state, was able to undercut competitors while burying waste in fields and illegal dumps.

ANSA said the waste, which included asbestos, contaminated farmland and water supplies.