Arrested trio accused of illegally shipping electronic waste from shuttered Chinese industrial facility
A joint operation between the Industry Ministry, environmental crime units, and the police has led to the arrest of three men for attempting to smuggle electronic waste from a closed factory in Prachin Buri. The Huatai Shenghe Co Ltd recycling factory in Si Maha Phot district was the location of the arrests, which took place late Wednesday night.
The three men, identified as a Thai, a Chinese, and a Myanmar national, were charged for smuggling e-waste and attempting to move it from the closed facility. The e-waste included motors, cooling system parts, and scrap metal.
The factory in Chachoengsao province that was the intended destination for the e-waste was also found operating illegally and storing e-waste without a license. Its owner faces formal complaints and legal proceedings from the Department of Special Investigation and environmental authorities.
Officials suspect the factory executives of trying to steal impounded e-waste to resell it or destroy evidence, likely leading to additional criminal charges against them. The e-waste in the factory was impounded as evidence.
The special suppression team from the ministry was alerted at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and the arrests were made by a team from the Industry Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, and the Central Investigation Bureau. The arrested men were taken to the Raboh Phai police station for interrogation.
The factory was shut down by the Industry Ministry for operating without a license for e-waste recycling. The truck drivers were charged with violating the order of the Department of Industrial Works, possessing dangerous e-waste without a license, violating officials' orders on dangerous item control, and stealing impounded assets.
Authorities are continuing investigations and legal proceedings against the factory owners and those involved in the smuggling to enforce regulations on electronic waste management and prevent environmental violations. The arrested men face criminal charges related to illegal transport and disposal of electronic waste, with broader enforcement targeting unlicensed recycling operations linked to environmental crime in Prachin Buri and neighboring provinces.
[1] "Three men arrested for smuggling e-waste from closed factory in Prachin Buri", Bangkok Post, URL
[2] "Factory owners face legal action over illegal e-waste disposal", The Nation, URL
- The ongoing investigation also involves the Finance Ministry to ensure that the illegal profits from the environmental crime are traced and seized.
- In a press release, the Culture Ministry stated their concern about the impact of such activities on the local community's heritage and traditional practices.
- This incident highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations in the environmental-science field to prevent such crimes and protect the ecosystem.
- Meanwhile, the General News Network reported that the Industrial sector is under renewed scrutiny as these illegal activities often lead to health hazards for workers and serious threats to public safety.
- With the rise in such crimes and violations, it is crucial that Politics cooperate to draft effective policies and ensure their enforcement across industries and borders.
