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Federal Criminal Probe Confirmed in Smitty's Supply Blast as EPA, FBI Searched Roseland Plant

Authorities have confirmed the criminal probe without providing details about the mid-November search.

Overview

  • EPA records document a two-day search at the Roseland facility in mid-November involving EPA Criminal Investigation Division agents with FBI and Louisiana State Police present.
  • Cleanup operations were paused for about three hours on Nov. 18 during the search, and federal and state agents departed after two days as EPA oversight of the site continued.
  • Officials confirmed a federal criminal investigation related to the August explosion and fire, and no criminal charges have been publicly reported to date.
  • The search became public through an EPA emergency response report posted in mid-December, and agencies have not disclosed what investigators sought.
  • Civil enforcement remains active through a Nov. 5 federal lawsuit by EPA and Louisiana authorities and an EPA compliance order following an October inspection that cited hazardous waste handling issues and set a 60‑day timetable for fixes.