Report Thai Customs Seize 700 Tonnes of Toxic Waste in Major Bust

[snoop1130]

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

 

In a significant enforcement action, Thai Customs, in collaboration with specialist agencies, intercepted over 700 tonnes of toxic waste falsely declared as "zinc concentrate" at Bangkok Port. This operation underscores Thailand’s ongoing efforts to combat the illegal import of hazardous materials.

 

The shipment, originating from Morocco, contained alarmingly high levels of lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals, posing substantial environmental and health risks. Weighing 736,425 kilogrammes, the cargo was initially presented as zinc concentrate. However, detailed inspections and X-ray fluorescence testing uncovered its true composition, revealing zinc at 32.2% and iron at 13.5%, along with hazardous concentrations of lead at 1.24%, cadmium at 890 parts per million, and antimony at 540 parts per million.

 

Such severe contamination surpasses acceptable safety standards, classifying the material as hazardous waste. This breach highlights non-compliance with international agreements aiming to prevent the transfer of dangerous waste from developed to developing countries.

 

"The success of this operation reinforces the government’s strong stance on preventing hazardous waste imports, prioritizing the protection of our environment and public health," stated Theeraj Athanavanich, Director General of the Customs Department.

 

In response to the findings, authorities will repatriate the contaminated material to Morocco. Concurrently, Thailand is intensifying measures to thwart future illegal shipments, enhancing customs scrutiny in partnership with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Department of Industrial Works (DIW).

 

This interception is part of a wider crackdown on hazardous imports. This fiscal year has already seen significant enforcement actions, including 37 arrests related to illegal electronic waste, 13 involving plastic scrap, and two concerning other hazardous materials.

 

Thailand’s assertive policy against illegal waste reflects global concerns about the tendency of affluent nations to offload hazardous waste onto developing countries. Often, these shipments are mislabeled to evade detection, posing severe risks to local ecosystems and public health.

 

As authorities conclude this operation, the Thai government reaffirms its dedication to stringent import controls, aiming to protect the nation’s ecosystems from dangerous foreign waste and maintain environmental integrity.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-11

 

 

[Magictoad]

Well done! Good job guys. They NEVER manager to catch toxic waste in Britain. Whole areas have become dumping grounds for all kinds of dreadful sh!/×

[watchcat]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The shipment, originating from Morocco, contained alarmingly high levels of lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals, posing substantial environmental and health risks.

 

Return to sender.