Waste not, want rot: Cops bust illegal e-waste ring in Samut Sakhon
Police uncovered an extensive illegal operation where electronic waste was being unlawfully transported and stored in Samut Sakhon. The discovery is linked to previous activities involving closed factories.
Yesterday, January 5, Ekanat Promphan, Minister of Industry, revealed that a team led by Thitiphat Chotedechachainan and Ekaniti Ramyanont, along with local industry officials and the Department of Industrial Works, conducted a raid on C.H.H. Recycle Co., Ltd. in Samut Sakhon.
The operation was supported by Aphisan Chairat, from the police division responsible for natural resources and environmental crime suppression.
During the inspection, police found over 1,200 tonnes of unauthorised hazardous electronic waste. Additionally, power supply units for electronic devices lacked the mandatory product standard mark, indicating further regulatory violations.
The illegal activities were traced back to T&T Waste Management 2017 Co., Ltd. in Prachinburi, a factory previously shut down by the Ministry of Industry in September last year for violating the Factory Act of 1992. Ekanat stated that the Samut Sakhon Provincial Industry Office invoked Section 37 of the Factory Act, ordering C.H.H. Recycle to cease operations and seize all evidence.
The company now faces several charges for violating the Factory Act, including operating a Type 3 factory without permission, which carries a penalty of up to two years imprisonment or a fine of up to 200,000 baht (US$5,795), or both.
Other charges include unauthorised modification of machinery, punishable by a fine of up to 20,000 baht (US$580), and possession of hazardous materials without permission, which could also result in up to two years imprisonment or a fine of up to 200,000 baht (US$5,795).
Electronic waste
Additionally, the company faces penalties for power supply units lacking the product standard mark, which could lead to up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 500,000 baht (US$14,495), or both. Officers also plan to charge individuals involved in the illegal transportation and disposal of seized goods, with penalties starting at two years imprisonment and fines from 40,000 baht (US$1,160).
Thitiphat added that the operation followed an incident on January 4, when a truck from C.H.H. Recycle Co., Ltd. spilled cargo on the road, prompting an investigation. The investigation revealed that the cargo originated from Huatai Chenghe Co., Ltd. in Si Maha Phot, Prachinburi, a factory also facing legal action for unauthorised operations and with goods under seizure orders by the Prachinburi Provincial Industry Office.
The truck drivers, employed by a logistics contractor, were contacted via a group chat for truck operators to transport goods from Huatai Chenghe. They were hired to move the goods using two flatbed trailer trucks to C.H.H. Recycle Co., Ltd, reported KhaoSod.
Following these findings, Ekanat instructed the investigative team to extend their probe, resulting in the discovery of further illegal activities at C.H.H. Recycle Co., Ltd.
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