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In a significant development, Spanish authorities dismantled an organization that had sent more than 5,000 tons of hazardous electronic waste from the Canary Islands to several African countries. The recipient countries included Senegal, Nigeria, Mauritania, and Ghana.
In a significant development, Spanish authorities dismantled an organization that had sent more than 5,000 tons of hazardous electronic waste from the Canary Islands to several African countries. The recipient countries included Senegal, Nigeria, Mauritania, and Ghana.
According to the Spanish Customs and Civil Guard, during the last two years, criminal gangs had been estimated to have been sent from the island of Gran Canaria to Africa with hazardous waste of electronic devices. By doing so, the gangsters would have earned a profit of more than one and a half million euros as profit. Boats were used to send the e-waste, which would have emitted toxic air and polluted the landscapes of these countries.
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Authorities have informed that 43 people were arrested for alleged environmental offenses, forgery, and membership in a criminal organization. The gang was removing waste with the help of a management company that falsified documents. This waste was sent as second-hand items to be sent to these African countries for sale. Legally, e-wastes, which contain hazardous objects like mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and phosphorus, must be handed over to authorized companies for decontamination.
