The port of Brindisi was the scene of a new operation against illicit waste trafficking. The Carabinieri of the Ecological Operations Unit of Lecce, in collaboration with officials of the Customs and Monopolies Agency, have discovered an attempt to illegally export waste to Bulgaria.
Illicit waste trafficking discovered at the port of Brindisi
Illicit waste trafficking was thwarted thanks to checks carried out on three articulated vehicles, all registered in Bulgaria and driven by Bulgarian citizens. The vehicles were ready to be loaded with destination Bulgaria via Greece. During the inspection, the Carabinieri found that the cargoes, declared as plastic and rubber, actually contained a mixture of various polymers and impurities.
Details of the seizure operation
The checks revealed that the waste about to be exported consisted of polyurethane, polystyrene, PVC, mixed with materials such as wood, clothing, and demolition aggregates. This discovery led to the seizure of the three articulated vehicles and the approximately 70 tons of waste transported. The three drivers were reported at large for the crime of illicit cross-border waste trafficking.
Impact and consequences of illicit waste trafficking
Illicit waste trafficking is not only a legal problem, but represents a serious threat to the environment. Materials such as PVC and other polymers, if not disposed of correctly, can cause serious ecological damage. This seizure highlights the importance of control operations in ports, crucial points for the prevention of environmental crimes.
Authorities will continue to monitor and combat illicit waste trafficking, a crime that knows no borders and requires internationally coordinated action. The waste seizure in Brindisi is just one example of the numerous operations necessary to protect our environment and our health.
Seen by: 84
